Chapter 11: Control What You Cannot Understand
1154 Words
The palace felt different.
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Quieter.
But not calmer.
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The kind of silence that came after chaos—
when everyone was waiting for what would happen next.
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Alina walked through the corridors again.
But this time…
she wasn’t ignored.
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They stared.
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Guards.
Servants.
Even warriors.
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Some with curiosity.
Some with fear.
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And a few…
with something darker.
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She could feel it.
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“They know,” she whispered.
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Mira walked beside her, clutching the lantern tighter than usual.
“They all heard,” she said softly.
“The Moon-Bound… it’s not just a story anymore.”
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Alina’s hand moved to her neck again.
The mark pulsed faintly beneath her fingers.
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“I didn’t ask for this,” she muttered.
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“No one ever does,” Mira replied.
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They stopped in front of a large set of doors.
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“The King is waiting inside,” Mira said.
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Of course he is.
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Alina took a deep breath.
Then pushed the doors open.
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Inside—
Kael stood near the window.
Moonlight poured over him, casting long shadows across the room.
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He didn’t turn immediately.
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“You disobeyed me.”
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His voice was calm.
Too calm.
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Alina closed the door behind her.
“I saved your people.”
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That made him turn.
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His golden eyes locked onto hers instantly.
Sharp.
Unreadable.
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“That was not your decision to make.”
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“And letting them die was?”
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The words hit harder than she expected.
Even she felt it.
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Silence followed.
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Dangerous.
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Then—
Kael moved.
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In a blink, he was in front of her.
Too fast.
Too close.
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“You don’t understand what you did,” he said quietly.
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Alina didn’t back away.
Even though her heart was racing.
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“Then explain it to me.”
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Something flickered in his eyes.
Approval?
Annoyance?
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Both.
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“That power you released…”
He paused.
Carefully choosing his words.
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“…was raw.”
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Alina frowned.
“I didn’t mean to do it.”
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“That’s the problem.”
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His voice hardened slightly.
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“You didn’t control it.”
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The words hit.
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Hard.
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Alina looked away briefly.
Her chest tightening.
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“I don’t know how,” she admitted.
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That—
That changed something.
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Kael noticed.
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Of course he did.
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“You will learn,” he said.
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Her head snapped back up.
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“What?”
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“You don’t get a choice in this.”
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Her jaw tightened.
“I’m starting to notice that.”
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A faint smirk touched his lips.
Gone almost instantly.
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“If you lose control again,” he continued,
“you won’t just hurt enemies.”
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His voice dropped.
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“You’ll destroy everything around you.”
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A chill ran down her spine.
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“Then teach me,” she said.
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The words came out before she could second-guess them.
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Silence.
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Kael studied her.
Long.
Carefully.
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As if deciding something important.
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Then—
“Fine.”
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Alina blinked.
“That was fast.”
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“You don’t have time for hesitation.”
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Neither do you.
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He stepped back slightly.
Creating space.
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“Focus,” he said.
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Alina frowned.
“On what?”
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“The bond.”
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Her stomach tightened.
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“That thing again?”
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Kael didn’t answer.
Instead—
He stepped closer again.
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Slower this time.
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His hand lifted.
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Alina tensed.
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“Relax,” he said quietly.
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“I don’t trust you enough for that.”
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That almost made him smile.
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Almost.
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His fingers brushed lightly against the mark on her neck.
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The reaction was instant.
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Heat surged through her body.
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Stronger than before.
Deeper.
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Her breath hitched.
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“Close your eyes,” he ordered.
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“I don’t take orders well.”
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“Do it.”
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Something in his voice made her listen.
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Alina slowly closed her eyes.
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“Feel it,” he said.
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She frowned.
“I feel heat.”
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“Not that.”
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His voice softened slightly.
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“The connection.”
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Alina focused.
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At first—
Nothing.
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Then—
A pulse.
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Faint.
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Like a heartbeat.
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Not hers.
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Her breath slowed.
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“There’s… something,” she whispered.
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Kael’s voice came closer.
Lower.
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“Follow it.”
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She did.
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And suddenly—
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The world shifted.
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Not fully.
Not like before.
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But enough.
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Darkness brushed against her mind.
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A presence.
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Familiar.
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Strong.
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Him.
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Alina’s eyes snapped open.
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“I feel you.”
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The words slipped out before she could stop them.
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Kael stilled.
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For a brief moment—
His control slipped.
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Just slightly.
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“You’re not supposed to reach that far this quickly,” he muttered.
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Alina frowned.
“Is that bad?”
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He didn’t answer immediately.
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Instead—
His gaze darkened.
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“It means the bond is evolving faster than it should.”
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That didn’t sound good.
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Before she could ask more—
A knock interrupted them.
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Sharp.
Urgent.
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Kael turned instantly.
“Enter.”
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A guard stepped inside.
Breathing hard.
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“Your Majesty… we have a problem.”
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Kael’s expression hardened.
“Speak.”
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“The scouts returned from the northern mountains…”
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Alina felt something twist in her chest.
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“What did they find?” Kael asked.
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The guard hesitated.
Just for a second.
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Then—
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“Something else is moving, my King.”
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Silence fell.
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“What do you mean something else?” Alina asked.
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The guard swallowed.
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“It’s not Magnus’ army.”
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A pause.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
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“…it’s something worse.”
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Kael’s eyes darkened instantly.
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“How many?”
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The guard’s voice dropped.
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“…we don’t know.”
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That was worse than any number.
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Alina felt the mark on her neck flare again.
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Pain.
Sharp.
Sudden.
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She gasped.
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Kael turned back to her instantly.
“What is it?”
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Alina looked toward the mountains.
Fear creeping in again.
Stronger this time.
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“It’s the same feeling…”
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Her voice trembled.
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“From the battlefield.”
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A pause.
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“…whatever is out there…”
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Her heart pounded.
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“…it’s awake.”
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Silence.
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Heavy.
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Dangerous.
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And this time—
Even Kael didn’t deny it.
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