“For power,” I said. “And only she can do it.”
The cave was quiet for a moment. Then Rheon stood.
Slowly. Powerfully.
The shadows swirled around him like a cloak.
“She’s mine,” he said, voice like thunder wrapped in flame. “And I will not let them break her.”
His mark flared across his collarbone, glowing crimson.
“She is my mate. And they have declared war on that bond.”
He turned to us, every ounce of the prince he once was returning in a single breath.
“We leave at dawn. We take the palace. And we bring Seori home.”
I looked at him, nodding once.
Because this time, I would fight for her the right way — with fire, not betrayal.
Taeyang
Before the storm
She wouldn’t even look at me.
Yuna stood near the edge of the clearing, dusk bleeding through the crimson clouds above. The wind pulled at her hair — wild and untamed, like her. She was checking her weapons with mechanical focus, her movements sharp, purposeful, cold.
And I’d never wanted anything more than to feel her warmth again.
I watched her from the shadows of the trees, hand over the mark on my chest. It burned. Gods, it burned. Ever since the moment I saw hers flare to life, I hadn’t known a momentof peace. Only pain. Only the echo of her voice in my head saying, “You don’t want me.”
But she was wrong.
I had wanted her every day since the moment we met. And I’d run from it. Because I was a monster and she was… light.
She turned, finally sensing me.
Her eyes met mine, emotionless.
“Are you just going to keep staring?”
I stepped forward. Slowly.
“No. I just didn’t know if I was still allowed to speak to you.”
She scoffed.
“You're allowed to do a lot of things, Taeyang. Doesn’t mean you should.”
That hit harder than any blade ever had.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
She shook her head, laughing bitterly.
“Youdidhurt me. Over and over again. You made me feel small. Like this bond was something shameful.”
