Chapter 3: Bound by Shadows
593 Words
The mark on Seraphina’s wrist burned long after its glow had faded. She sat rigid in the grand chamber, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Across from her, Kael stared at her wrist with a quiet intensity, his usually unreadable expression fractured by something sharp and unexpected.
Shock.
Fear.
And something else—something far more dangerous.
Seraphina swallowed hard, her mind racing. "What do you mean, the curse has chosen me?"
Kael’s fingers flexed at his sides. "This mark—it isn’t normal."
A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "You think?" She held up her wrist. "What is this? Some kind of magic?"
Kael didn’t answer immediately. He turned away, pacing toward the fireplace. The flames cast flickering shadows against his chiseled features, making him look even less human.
Then, at last, he spoke.
"There is an old prophecy tied to Varyndor’s curse. One that no one in your kingdom would have known." His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it. "The curse does not simply plague this land—it binds itself to those who can either break it… or strengthen it."
Seraphina's stomach twisted. "And you think I'm one of those people?"
Kael turned, his gaze locking onto hers. "I don’t think, princess. I know."
The finality in his tone sent a chill down her spine.
Seraphina clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay composed. She had walked into this castle expecting a cold, distant husband. A monster, even.
She had not expected this.
A mystery. A prophecy. A curse that now had its claws in her as well.
"What happens now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael exhaled slowly, as if weighing his words. "Now? You do not leave these walls."
Seraphina's heart slammed against her ribs. "Excuse me?"
"You asked if you were a prisoner or a guest," Kael murmured. "You are no longer either. You are something else entirely."
A chill settled over her. "And what is that?"
Kael stepped closer, and despite herself, she did not move away.
"You are claimed."
The word sent a jolt through her.
Claimed.
Not by him.
By the curse itself.
Seraphina took a step back, shaking her head. "No. This isn’t right. I was meant to be your wife, not—"
"Not this," Kael finished for her.
Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.
Seraphina swallowed hard, fighting the rising panic clawing at her throat. "Is there a way to break it?"
Kael’s jaw tightened. "If there were, do you think my father would have died under its weight?"
She flinched. He was right. If breaking the curse were easy, it would have been done centuries ago.
Still, she was not the kind of woman to simply accept her fate.
Seraphina lifted her chin. "Then tell me what I need to know."
Kael arched a brow. "You’re awfully eager to involve yourself in something that could destroy you."
"Would you rather I be useless?" she shot back.
Something flickered in his storm-gray eyes. Amusement? Admiration? It was gone too quickly for her to tell.
"You truly are a queen’s daughter," he murmured.
Seraphina straightened her spine. "And you are the Shadow Prince. So start acting like it."
For the first time, Kael smirked.
It was slight, barely there, but it transformed his features.
Dangerous.
Powerful.
"Very well," he said. "Then I hope you're ready, princess. Because once you step into this world, there is no turning back."
Seraphina exhaled sharply.
There was never a choice to begin with.
She was already in.
- Writer
