The moment it called me “my Queen,” every instinct inside me screamed to run. Not because I feared it. Because some ancient part of me remembered it too well.
The fractured world trembled violently around us as the shadowed figure stood beyond the broken seal, silver eyes glowing unnaturally through the darkness warping around its body.
The space itself bent in its presence, ancient magic recoiling like living things trying desperately to escape it. And beside me, the creature lowered itself protectively while Kael stepped closer without hesitation despite the damage tearing through our fractured bond.
One guarded me with ancient instinct.
The other with love.
The realization hurt more than it should have.
The shadowed figure watched the movement between us with visible amusement.
