The grief in Valdris’s voice silenced the entire shrine.
Even the wind seemed to hesitate beneath the full moon.
Kael stood frozen beside Lyra, his hand gripping hers tightly while the mate bond pulsed painfully between them. The confession he had just spoken still echoed inside her chest.
I will spend the rest of my life making up for it.
Raw.
Honest.
Real.
And somehow that honesty hurt more than anger ever could.
Valdris watched them silently from across the shrine, ancient silver eyes unreadable now.
Then slowly—
“You still do not understand what she is.”
Kael’s jaw tightened instantly.
“She’s my mate.”
The Blood King tilted his head slightly.
“You speak as though fate belongs to you.”
Before Kael could answer, Guardian Seraph suddenly stepped forward.
“We must begin the
