The heavy doors of the palace shut behind Aira with a deep, echoing sound.
It felt like a prison.
Not of walls…
But of fate.
Aira walked beside Kael, her steps slow, her mind filled with questions. The crown on her head felt heavier with every second, as if it was tightening its invisible grip around her.
"Take it off…" she whispered to herself, trying to pull it.
But it didn't move.
Not even a little.
Kael noticed.
"It won't come off," he said calmly.
Aira looked at him, frustration and fear in her eyes.
"Then remove it!"
Kael stopped walking.
His expression turned serious.
"If it were that easy… I wouldn't have spent years trying."
Aira froze.
Years…?
Before she could ask—
A sudden wave of pain hit her.
Her body trembled.
The shadows around her began to rise, crawling up the walls like living creatures.
"Ahh…!" she cried, holding her head.
The crown glowed faintly.
Dark energy spread through the hall.
Guards stepped back in fear.
"She's losing control," one of them whispered.
Aira's vision blurred.
Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.
"I… can't… control it…" she gasped.
Suddenly—
Kael moved.
He stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders firmly.
"Look at me," he ordered.
Aira struggled, her eyes flickering with darkness.
"Focus!"
For a moment—
Everything stilled.
Her gaze locked with his.
Cold… yet strangely calming.
"Breathe," Kael said softly.
Aira followed.
Slowly…
The shadows began to settle.
The pain faded.
Her body weakened.
And she collapsed—
Straight into his arms.
Kael caught her instantly.
This time—
Without hesitation.
He looked down at her unconscious face.
For the first time…
There was no anger in his eyes.
Only something unfamiliar.
Something softer.
"She's not like the others…" he murmured.
Behind them, the shadows whispered again.
But now—
They were no longer wild.
They were… waiting.