The chains around Elysia’s wrists were cold, biting into her skin as she was dragged forward onto the auction stage. The torches lining the wooden platform flickered against the night sky, casting eerie shadows over the gathered crowd. The scent of damp earth and burning incense filled the air, mixing with something far more pungent—the stench of fear.

It wasn’t just hers.

Around her, dozens of other humans stood in line, their eyes hollow, their bodies trembling. They were slaves, just like her. Some were already resigned to their fate, staring blankly at the dirt beneath their feet. Others still clung to the last shreds of hope, their gazes darting toward the darkened forest beyond the market, as if foolishly considering escape.

But there was no escape. Not from this.

“Lot number seventy-eight,” the auctioneer announced, his voice booming over the crowd. “A fine specimen. Strong, young, unbroken.” His bony fingers curled under her chin, forcing her face up. “Look at this one! Beautiful, isn’t she? A rare find indeed.”

Elysia jerked her head away, fury sparking in her chest. She refused to let them see her fear, refused to let them break her spirit like the others. She was not livestock to be bartered and sold.

And yet, that was exactly what was happening.

From the shadows beyond the stage, dozens of glowing eyes watched her hungrily. Monsters, demons, creatures of nightmare—all gathered here for the same reason. To purchase a human.

To own one.

A shudder ran down her spine, but she forced herself to remain still as the bidding began. The auctioneer’s voice rang out, fast and sharp, as hands rose in the air.

“Five hundred gold pieces!”

“Six hundred!”

“Eight hundred!”

The numbers climbed higher, the monsters competing for her like she was nothing more than an object. Elysia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as bile rose in her throat.

Then a voice cut through the crowd.

“Ten thousand.”

The marketplace fell silent.

Elysia’s breath caught as the crowd parted, revealing the figure who had spoken. He stood at the edge of the torchlight, tall and motionless, his presence commanding immediate attention. Unlike the other monsters, who reeked of desperation and greed, this one exuded something far more dangerous.

Power.

His silver hair gleamed under the moonlight, an unnatural contrast to the black armor he wore, lined with silver filigree that shimmered like molten metal. His face was sharp, his features carved from ice, his dark eyes empty as the abyss. And when his gaze settled on her, a strange chill spread through her veins.

Prince Kael.

The name whispered through the crowd like a curse.

The auctioneer swallowed hard. “T-Ten thousand?” His voice wavered as he glanced at the other bidders, but no one dared to challenge the offer. Not when it came from him.

A demon of the Shadow Court.

“The girl is yours, my lord,” the auctioneer stammered, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.

The chains around Elysia’s wrists were yanked, forcing her to stumble forward. She barely had time to regain her footing before she was shoved toward him. The other monsters shrank back as Kael stepped forward, reaching out with a gloved hand.

For a moment, she thought he would grab her, drag her into the darkness like the monster he was. But instead, he simply lifted one finger and touched the iron cuffs around her wrists.

A pulse of power surged through the metal, and with a sharp crack, the chains shattered.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Elysia’s eyes widened as she rubbed her raw wrists, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. He had freed her?

No. Not freed. Claimed.

“You belong to me now,” Kael murmured, his voice like a whisper of wind through the grave. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

The guards shoved her forward, forcing her to follow.

Her heart pounded as she glanced over her shoulder, her last glimpse of the marketplace burned into her mind—the torches, the monsters, the hollow-eyed humans still waiting to be sold.

And then the darkness swallowed her whole.

---

The journey to the Shadow Court was long and silent.

Kael did not speak, nor did he so much as glance in her direction. He rode ahead on a midnight-black stallion, his cloak billowing behind him like living shadow. Behind them, his soldiers followed in grim silence, their armor glinting beneath the pale moonlight.

Elysia sat in a carriage, her wrists still sore, her mind racing. She had heard the stories of the Shadow Court—whispers of a cursed prince who ruled a land of endless night. Some claimed he was a beast in human skin, a creature of pure malice. Others said he had been born without a soul, cursed to bring death to all who came near him.

But none of the stories made sense.

If he was truly a monster, why had he not forced himself on her? Why had he freed her from her chains? Why did he keep his distance now?

The questions gnawed at her, but she found no answers.

Hours passed. The road twisted through a dense forest, the air growing colder with every mile. By the time they reached the castle, the sky had turned an eerie shade of deep violet, the stars hidden behind swirling clouds.

Elysia shivered as she stepped out of the carriage, her breath fogging in the air. The castle loomed before her, its black stone walls rising like jagged fangs against the night sky. Strange symbols were carved into the doors, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.

The air itself felt alive.

Kael dismounted, his movements slow and deliberate. When he finally turned to her, his expression was unreadable.

“Follow me.”

Elysia hesitated. Every instinct screamed at her to run. But where could she go? There was no escape from this place, no safety beyond the walls of the Shadow Court.

With a deep breath, she stepped forward.

The doors groaned open as Kael led her inside, the torches along the corridor flaring to life with an eerie blue flame. The interior was not what she expected. Instead of cold, lifeless stone, the castle walls pulsed—breathed—as if the entire structure was alive. The air hummed with unseen energy, sending a shiver down her spine.

“You will stay here,” Kael said, stopping in front of a massive wooden door. “No one will harm you.”

The words were simple, but there was something beneath them. A promise. Or perhaps… a warning.

Then, without another glance, he turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Elysia stood frozen, her heart hammering in her chest.

She did not know what had just happened. She did not know why Kael had bought her or what he intended to do with her.

But one thing was certain.

She was no longer a prisoner of the auction.

She was a prisoner of the Shadow Court.

Elysia sat on the edge of the massive bed, staring at the flickering blue flames that lined the walls of her chamber. The castle was eerily silent, save for the occasional whisper of wind through the corridors, as if the very air carried secrets.

Her wrists still throbbed where the iron cuffs had once been. She rubbed them absentmindedly, trying to make sense of what had happened. Prince Kael had bought her—claimed her—but had not touched her. No cruel words, no commands, no chains.

Why?

She had spent her life hearing stories about the Shadow Court, about the terrifying prince who ruled it. They called him the heartless one, a monster devoid of mercy. And yet… he had freed her from her shackles.

Elysia stood and approached the tall window, pushing aside the heavy velvet drapes. The view stole her breath.

The castle was surrounded by an endless expanse of dark forests, stretching toward the horizon. A mist clung to the ground like ghostly fingers, and the sky above was a deep violet, neither day nor night. In the distance, twisted spires of rock jutted out of the earth, as if the land itself was cursed.

She pressed her hand against the cold glass.

She had to get out of here.

A knock at the door made her spin around. Before she could answer, the door creaked open, and a woman stepped inside. She was tall and regal, her dark brown skin contrasting with the silver embroidery of her black gown. Her eyes, an unnatural shade of pale gold, studied Elysia with quiet intensity.

“I am Lady Varya,” she said, her voice smooth but firm. “I oversee the household.”

Elysia straightened her posture, her instincts telling her that this woman was no mere servant. “Why am I here?” she asked cautiously.

Lady Varya arched an eyebrow. “Because the prince willed it.”

“That’s not an answer.”

The woman’s lips twitched in something resembling amusement. “You are to be his… guest.”

Elysia narrowed her eyes. “Guest? That’s what you call this? I was bought.”

Lady Varya sighed, folding her hands in front of her. “Do not mistake his actions for cruelty, girl. If another had won you, your fate would have been far worse.”

Elysia swallowed hard. She knew that. She had seen the other monsters in the auction, the hunger in their eyes. Yet, that didn’t mean she was safe. “What does he want from me?”

For the first time, Lady Varya hesitated. “That is something only the prince can answer.”

Frustration burned in Elysia’s chest, but before she could press further, Varya gestured toward the wardrobe. “You will find clothing there. Dress and come to the dining hall. You will be expected at supper.”

Then, without another word, she turned and left.

Elysia let out a slow breath. Expected at supper. Like she was just another guest in a noble’s estate. Not a human sold to a demon prince.

She should refuse. Should fight. Should find a way out of here.

But she needed information first.

So, she opened the wardrobe.

Inside were dresses finer than anything she had ever worn. Soft silks and embroidered velvets in deep, jewel-toned colors. She hesitated before selecting a dark blue gown, the fabric light against her skin. It fit perfectly, as if made for her.

That unsettled her more than anything.

By the time she made her way through the halls, the castle’s unnatural stillness gnawed at her nerves. The blue flames lighting the corridors cast long shadows, making it feel as though unseen eyes watched her from the darkness.

Then, she reached the dining hall.

The massive room was lined with towering windows, though outside, there was only endless darkness. A long table sat in the center, covered in silver dishes of food. And at the far end, Kael sat.

He looked up as she entered, his piercing dark eyes locking onto hers.

For a moment, she hesitated.

Then, lifting her chin, she stepped forward—toward the monster who owned her fate.

Elysia hesitated at the entrance of the grand dining hall, her fingers curling into the fabric of her gown. The silence in the room was suffocating, broken only by the slow crackle of the blue-flamed torches lining the walls.

At the far end of the long table, Kael sat, his silver hair catching the eerie light. He wasn’t eating. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, watching her with an unreadable expression. His dark eyes, so sharp and piercing, seemed to strip away every layer of her defenses.

The air felt too thick, her pulse too loud.

Still, she forced herself forward.

As she approached, she took in more details about him—the way his posture was relaxed yet exuded authority, the slight tension in his jaw, the way his fingers rested against the carved armrest as if restraining himself from something.

"You are late," Kael said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of something dangerous.

Elysia stopped a few feet from the table, ignoring the chair that had been pulled out for her. "You never said I had to be on time."

A flicker of something crossed his face—amusement, perhaps—but it was gone before she could be sure.

"You must be hungry," he said instead, gesturing toward the table.

The food spread before her was unlike anything she had ever seen. Roasted meats glazed with golden honey, fruits that shimmered as if dipped in moonlight, and goblets filled with an inky liquid that gave off a faint glow. It was all beautifully arranged, but something about it made her uneasy.

"Why am I here?" she asked, her voice firm. "You bought me, but you haven’t demanded anything from me. What do you want?"

Kael's gaze darkened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.

"You assume I want something from you," he murmured.

"Don’t you?"

A small, humorless smile curved his lips. "Not in the way you think."

Her heart pounded against her ribs. "Then explain it to me."

Kael exhaled softly, as if weighing his words. "You are here because I wished it. And because I have no intention of allowing others to have you."

His voice was calm, but there was something possessive in his words that sent a shiver down her spine.

She clenched her fists. "I am not an object."

"I know."

The quiet sincerity in his voice startled her.

Before she could respond, the doors opened again, and Lady Varya entered, carrying a silver tray with a delicate porcelain cup. She approached Kael and set it before him.

"My lord," she said, inclining her head slightly before turning to Elysia. "You should eat."

Elysia hesitated, glancing between them. Kael reached for the cup but didn’t drink from it immediately. Instead, he stared at the dark liquid within, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression.

"Is the food safe?" she asked, unable to hide her suspicion.

Lady Varya gave her a look of mild amusement. "If he wanted to harm you, he wouldn’t need poison."

Elysia stiffened. She didn’t doubt that.

Kael took a slow sip from his cup before setting it down. "You may eat if you wish. Or not."

There was no command in his voice. No force. Just quiet patience.

That unnerved her more than anything.

Elysia hesitated before finally sitting down. She picked up a piece of fruit, examining it closely before taking a cautious bite. The taste exploded on her tongue—sweet and rich, unlike anything she had ever eaten.

She caught Kael watching her.

"You’re different," she said suddenly, setting the fruit down. "The others… they treat humans like cattle. But you don’t."

His expression didn’t change. "And what do you make of that?"

"I don’t know yet."

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips, as if she had amused him somehow. "Then keep watching, little flame. You may be surprised by what you find."

She should have been afraid of that.

But instead, an unsettling curiosity stirred within her.

Because beneath his cold exterior, beneath the terrifying reputation—Kael didn’t seem heartless at all.

And that was the most dangerous thing of all.