All Chapters of Marked By Midnight : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Azrik’s POVI hadn’t stopped running since I left Ashborne Claw.The world blurred around me as I tore through valleys, over cliffs, and across snow-covered plains. I moved fast, recklessly fast, hoping the wind against my skin would numb the ache in my chest, but it didn’t. Nothing did.The mountain winds cut against my face. The cold bit into my skin. Still, I felt nothing. Not compared to the wildfire behind my ribs, not compared to the hollowed-out agony that was her.I’d used too much power, far more than I should’ve. My bones ached, my muscles threatened to give way, my vision blurred from sheer exertion, but I didn’t stop.I couldn’t stop, because stopping meant feeling, and feeling meant accepting what I saw. That kiss.By the time I reached Velgrath, I was half delirious. My feet faltered only when the massive palace gates loomed before me. I slowed, just enough to walk inside like a man who hadn’t just shattered inside out.I made it to my chambers before the collapse came.

Azrik's POVAfter the council meeting, after seeing Kaelina, I approved of her.Not because I cared, but because I had to. At least I’d met her once, that was more than I could say for most royal arrangements, better the known stranger than a total one.I didn’t linger after the meeting. My chest still burned from the ache I’d buried deep, but I masked it with the excuse of fatigue, told them we'd continue later. I wasn’t in the mood to play pretend royalty.I half-expected Kaelina to show up at my chambers that night, women of rank often made their intentions known fast, but she didn’t.A woman who knows her worth and chooses her timing. Touché.Draven wasn’t pleased about any of it. I could see it in the way he paced and clenched his jaw every time Kaelina’s name was mentioned, but he held his tongue. He’s always been loyal, even when I’ve lost my way.The next morning, I was sprawled across my couch, half-dressed, a bowl of popcorn on my stomach, and a show playing on the screen. S

Lunessa’s POVShe eventually stopped shivering, her fevered body slowly relaxing in my arms. I must have dozed off beside them, lulled by the rhythm of her breath and the ache of worry finally easing.By morning, I woke before the girls. When Shaelith finally stirred, she looked pale and drained, as if her spirit hadn’t quite returned with the daylight. She didn’t say a word, just blinked at me with heavy eyes.I ran a warm bath for both of them, hoping it might help. Shaelith was unusually quiet, letting the water wash over her without her usual complaints. The silence was deafening.And then, just as I was drying them off, she started shivering again. Panic prickled up my spine.I wrapped her up quickly, brought her to the room, and began digging through the first aid box again, desperate to find anything that could explain this.Then I saw a flicker of golden light in the corner of my eye. I turned, heart skipping, and saw Seraphira, arms wrapped tightly around her sister. The ligh

Azrik’s POVIt had been months since the arrangement with Kaelina was sealed with a ring and a chamber to herself.I gave her everything that would make it look real, except myself.Lunessa’s chambers remained locked and untouched, not even the maids dared enter. I told myself it was to erase her scent, to move on, but deep down I knew that wasn't the truth.I buried myself in anything available, to ignore the way my wolf growled low every time I heard someone laugh in a tone even remotely like hers.I was at my desk, eyes fixed on a bloodline ledger, when Kaelina stormed into my office without knocking. Her heels struck the floor like a declaration of war.She halted in front of me, arms crossed tight across her chest. I didn’t look up or move. I just continued flipping pages, even though I wasn’t reading a damn thing.“Really? This is how you want us to do this?” she said, voice sharp.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My voice was level.“Don’t play games with me, Azrik,” s

Lunessa's POVFor weeks now, everything had returned to a strange sense of normalcy.We celebrated my children’s fourth birthday, though if I hadn’t birthed them myself, I’d never believe they were just turning three. They seemed older, taller, sharper, with eyes that understood more than I wished they did. Still, in the quietest of moments, they'd do something small, mumbling in their sleep, asking for help tying shoelaces, calling for hugs, and I’d remember they were still just babies.I continued schooling them at home. Vanya helped as much as she could, gentle with them in a way that felt motherly even though they weren’t hers. There had been no fire incidents from Shealith, no strange outbursts, and no one had dared to provoke either of them. For now, peace held.I poured myself into work and motherhood with single-minded focus. It kept me occupied, kept the ache quiet. Some nights I sat by the window and wondered, Is this the life I truly wanted?What happens when they grow ol