“I was there,” I added. “I watched him walk away from everything. And for six hundred years, he’s believed he’d never find her again. Never feel it again.”
I paused.
“And then you showed up.”
Seori turned her head slowly, staring out the high temple window where the sky was just beginning to turn cobalt. Her voice was quiet, shaking—but resolute.
“He tried to love once,” she whispered. “And the world killed it.”
She faced me again.
“It won’t take him from me now.”
She turned toward the open hall.
“Taeyang,” she called.
He stepped out of the shadows, eyes already darkening with dread.
“Take me to the Demon Realm,” she said.
“You don’t understand what you’re asking”
“I do,” she cut him off. “I’m asking for my mate’s freedom. And I’ll burn your world down too if I have to.”
There it was. Not weakness. Not pity. But fury — laced with love. The same fury that once set a throne ablaze.
Taeyang
Fire Recognizes Fire
I’ve seen a thousand humans beg. I’ve seen them scream. Bargain. Burn. But I’d never seen a human command fire the way she did—barehanded, unflinching.
“Take me to the Demon Realm,” Seori demanded.
No stutter. No doubt. Just flame behind her voice and conviction bleeding through her skin.
It should’ve pissed me off. But instead, I stood there… frozen.
Jisoo stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But I could tell from the glint in his eyes—he’d seen it too.
That fire wasn’t just from the bond. It was hers.
"Why?"
I stepped forward, meeting her glare.
“Why should I?” I growled. “You, a hunter, now want to walk through the gates of our world like you're owed something?”
Her chin lifted.
“Because I’m not letting Rheon suffer for a curse he didn’t deserve.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“You’re his fated mate. That mark on your back—maybe it’s just the bond.”
Seori’s voice didn’t waver.
