He didn’t know what it wouldcost.
If the king died now, the curse would bind forever. Rheon would live eternal… hollow… aching… never able to befree.I could feel the truth of it crack in my chest like thunder.
“No,” I whispered. Then louder. “No!”
But no one heard me.
The bond between us burned hot — wild — panicked. Rheon’s fury fueled it. He was preparing for the final strike. His blade shimmered black with shadow and gold with light.
He was going to kill him.
I ran.
Iranthrough the chaos, through the wreckage, my bare feet skidding across the cracked marble. My lungs burned. My heart broke.
Please don’t let me be too late.
Rheon raised the blade. I screamed his name. He didn’t hear me. He lunged. And I jumped. Straight into his arms.
Straight into the arc of his blade.
His sword pierced through my side.
The pain was a frozen scream — a white-hot flash that ripped through every nerve. My body jerked forward into him, our bond snapping taut like a whip. Rheon’s eyes widened in horror.
His blade dropped.
His hands caught me as I collapsed against him.
“Seori,” he choked, voice already breaking. “No—no, no, no, what did you—why would you—”
I coughed. Blood stained my lips. My fingers trembled as they clutched the collar of his shirt.
“To… break the curse,” I whispered. “It had to be you. It always had to be you.”
His hands shook as he cradled me to his chest.
“I would’ve found another way.I would’ve died before hurting you—”
“You were always… my choice,” I breathed, forehead resting against his. “You never ruined me. You saved me.”
The bond flared bright between us — blinding. Burning. A heartbeat. A memory. A vow.
And then…
Darkness.
Rhoen
Bound in Flame, forged by her
She fell into me with a soft sigh.
Like she was never meant to stand alone. Like her last breath belonged in my arms.
“Seori,” I whispered, voice cracked and broken. “No… please.”
Her body was warm… but fading. Her blood soaked through my hands, and I didn’t care that it scorched. I would’ve let it burn me alive if it meant she stayed.
