Chapter 7

The crash echoed through the palace like thunder.

Verath’s hand tightened around Elara’s waist instinctively. His body shifted, placing himself between her and the door without conscious thought.

“You stay here,” he said.

She shook her head immediately. “No.”

“Elara—”

“If there’s danger inside the palace, I’m safer with you.”

He hesitated. He hated that she was right.

“Stay close,” he ordered.

They moved into the corridor. Guards rushed past, shouting. The sound had come from the west wing, the older part of the palace, where abandoned halls twisted like a maze.

“Who would attack from inside?” she asked.

“Someone who already belongs here,” he replied grimly.

They reached the broken doors of the west wing. Stone lay shattered across the floor. Cold air drifted from within, strange and unnatural.

Elara frowned. “It’s colder here.”

“Yes.”

“That’s not normal.”

“No,” he said quietly. “It isn’t.”

They stepped inside.

The torches flickered weakly. Shadows pooled unnaturally in the corners. Elara’s magic stirred uneasily, reacting to something dark.

A figure emerged at the far end of the hall.

Lord Kaedrin.

Elara stiffened.

“You,” Verath said, voice low with warning.

Kaedrin smiled faintly. “Your Majesty.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Solving a problem.”

Dark magic curled around his fingers.

Elara’s heart dropped. “You betrayed him.”

“I saved the kingdom,” Kaedrin corrected. “You’ve grown weak since she arrived.”

Verath’s eyes flashed gold. “You mistake control for weakness.”

Kaedrin laughed softly. “No. I recognize obsession when I see it.”

His gaze shifted to Elara.

“You’re the threat.”

Verath stepped forward, blocking her completely. “You will not touch her.”

“You see?” Kaedrin said. “You prove my point.”

Dark energy surged. Shadows spread along the floor toward them.

Elara grabbed Verath’s arm. “That magic—”

“Forbidden,” he finished.

Kaedrin raised his hand. “If I remove her, you will return to what you were. Ruthless. Untouchable. The king we need.”

“I don’t need you,” Verath said.

“You need strength.”

“I have it.”

“Not anymore.”

Kaedrin launched the attack.

Shadows whipped forward like blades. Verath countered instantly, fire exploding outward. Flame met darkness. The hall trembled.

“Elara, back!” he ordered.

She retreated, but her eyes never left him.

He moved like a storm-controlled fury. Fire spiraled around him, pushing back Kaedrin’s magic. But the noble was powerful, drawing energy from the shadows of the ancient wing.

“You can’t protect her forever!” Kaedrin shouted.

“I don’t need forever,” Verath replied coldly. “Just long enough.”

He surged forward.

Kaedrin shifted targets.

The shadows turned toward Elara.

She gasped as cold wrapped around her legs. She struggled, but the magic tightened. Panic flared.

“Elara!” Verath roared.

His control snapped.

Flames erupted violently, blasting the shadows away. The surge was too strong and uncontrolled. Fire licked across the walls. The dragon pushed forward.

His eyes burned bright gold.

Kaedrin smiled. “There it is.”

Verath advanced, power spiraling dangerously. The heat became unbearable. The dragon was taking over.

Elara saw it instantly.

“Verath!” she called.

He didn’t respond.

He was losing control.

If he unleashed the full dragon, the entire wing would collapse.

She ran toward him.

“Elara, stop!” one guard shouted.

She ignored them.

She reached him and grabbed his hand.

The effect was immediate.

Silver light burst from her skin. Fire wrapped around it, but instead of clashing, the magic intertwined. The dragon’s rage softened, retreating.

Verath’s breathing steadied.

His gaze cleared.

“Elara…” he whispered.

Kaedrin’s expression shifted to shock.

“She stabilizes you…” He murmured.

“Yes,” Verath said quietly. “She does.”

His voice hardened.

“And that is why you lose.”

He raised his free hand. Controlled fire shot forward, striking Kaedrin. The noble collapsed, shadows dissolving.

Silence fell.

The flames died.

Verath turned immediately to Elara, gripping her shoulders.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine.”

“You shouldn’t have run toward me.”

“You were losing control.”

“And you could have died.”

She met his gaze. “But I didn’t.”

His hands tightened slightly.

“No,” he said. “Because you came to me.”

Their eyes locked.

The bond pulsed stronger than ever.

He pulled her closer without thinking.

“You brought me back,” he murmured.

“You always come back.”

His thumb brushed her cheek. “Only for you.”

The intimacy of the moment hit them both.

The guards discreetly stepped away.

“You scared me,” she whispered.

“You scared me more.”

She almost smiled.

He hesitated, then wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against his chest. She stiffened briefly and

then relaxed. The warmth of him surrounded her, steady and protective.

For the first time, he didn’t let go quickly.

“You shouldn’t trust me this much,” he said quietly.

“I don’t,” she replied.

He raised a brow.

“I trust the way you look at me,” she clarified.

His breath caught.

“That’s worse,” he murmured.

They stayed like that for a moment longer.

Then he released her reluctantly.

“We should return,” he said.

But as they walked back through the corridor, both of them felt it.

The bond had deepened again.

And this time it felt permanent.