Kael stood, eyes burning black.
Not pitch black—celestial black.Swirling galaxies, dying suns, curses made flesh.
His robes shimmered, threads of shadowfire crawling along the seams like veins. Around him, the broken tiles of the throne courtyard trembled—as if recognizing a new master.
Lyra took a single step forward.
"You were with me through everything," she said, voice shaking. "My father's fall. My first death. My second awakening."
Kael tilted his head, smile too calm.
"I was your anchor. I had to be close. Otherwise the throne would've devoured you too soon."
The words tore through her chest—not because they were cruel, but because they sounded so... logical.
He hadn't just betrayed her.He'd studied her.Loved her just enough to keep her alive. Hated her just enough to never let her win.
I should have known, she thought. Every look, every lie, every kiss... was a test.
But what shattered her the most—Part of her still wanted to believe in him.
