Chapter 8: A Monster’s Warning

Elysia didn’t know what she had expected when she told Kael she wasn’t afraid of him. Defiance flickered in her chest, but as his gaze darkened, she felt the weight of her words settle over her like a storm cloud.

He stepped closer, slow and deliberate, his towering form casting a long shadow. The torchlight flickered against his silver hair, highlighting the sharp angles of his face.

“You say that now,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “But you should be.”

Elysia swallowed hard, forcing herself not to step back.

“I don’t believe you,” she said, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart.

Kael’s lips curled into something that wasn’t quite a smirk. It wasn’t amusement—it was something colder, sharper. “You don’t believe what, little flame?”

“That you’re as heartless as everyone says.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and charged.

Then, in one swift motion, Kael raised his hand. The torches lining the chamber flared violently before plunging into darkness.

Elysia barely had time to react before something cold brushed her cheek.

A whisper of movement.

Then the press of claws against her throat.

She sucked in a sharp breath.

She couldn’t see him, but she felt him—his presence wrapping around her like a predator toying with its prey.

The castle held its breath.

Kael’s voice came from the darkness, closer now, the heat of it ghosting against her ear.

“You think I’m not a monster?” he murmured.

Elysia’s heart pounded.

Then the darkness shifted.

A cold hand trailed along her collarbone, slow, deliberate, before his fingers curled around her throat—not tight, not squeezing, just a reminder of how easily he could.

“Tell me,” he whispered, “do you still feel safe?”

Elysia should have been terrified.

Every instinct screamed at her to recoil, to tremble, to beg for mercy.

But she refused.

Instead, she met his challenge head-on, tilting her chin up even though she couldn’t see him.

“Yes,” she whispered.

The grip around her throat tightened—just slightly, just enough to make her pulse race.

A slow exhale ghosted against her skin.

Then, just as suddenly as the darkness came, it was gone.

The torches flared back to life, revealing Kael standing inches away. His face was unreadable, but something flickered in his gaze—something wary.

Elysia swallowed, her throat dry. “You didn’t hurt me.”

Kael studied her for a long moment, then scoffed softly.

“Because I chose not to,” he said.

She met his gaze, defiant. “That’s exactly my point.”

Kael exhaled sharply and turned away, running a hand through his silver hair. “You are insufferable.”

Elysia allowed herself a small smile. “So I’ve been told.”

For a moment, he said nothing, his back to her. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter.

“You don’t understand what you’re playing with, Elysia.”

She stepped forward. “Then help me understand.”

Kael turned, his dark eyes piercing into hers.

“You want the truth?” he said softly. “Fine.”

He stepped toward her again, closing the space between them. “You are mine, whether you like it or not. You were sold to me, and there is no escape from this castle.” His voice dropped lower, rougher. “And if you stay, you will either fear me… or you will love me.”

Elysia’s breath hitched.

Kael’s gaze burned into hers.

“And if you love me,” he murmured, “you will die.”

His words settled over her like ice, chilling her to the bone.

But Elysia did not flinch.

Instead, she lifted her chin, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then I suppose I should be very careful, shouldn’t I?”

Kael stared at her, something unreadable in his expression.

Then, with a quiet curse, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Elysia standing there, her heart hammering in her chest.

The monster had warned her.

And yet, she wasn’t sure she wanted to listen

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