Lady Zinnia wasted no time. She dashed out of the cottage, running for her carriage. The reins whipped and the wheels spun with magic, vanishing into the fog.
Alora pushed Caelum outside toward the clover horse as the black clouds swept over the moon.
The wind died.
“Caelum,” Alora said, barely a breath. “You need to leave, now.”
He stepped in front of her instead, shield up, blade drawn, the sigils along its spine waking with a dull silver glow. “I cannot leave without you.”
The atmosphere cracked with Rune’s arrival, dragging darkness with him. All light snuffed out, blinding Alora for a moment. Her breath came in rapid bursts, trying to see in the pitch black. Alora fell still when she sensed the heat of his presence behind her.
Her heart jolted at the cold grasp of Rune’s hand taking her throat, and he growled low in her ear. “Did you think you could so easily escape me?”
The question, the animalistic sound in that otherworldly voice, sent cold shivers down her spine.
“Kenaz!”Caelum shouted and his blade blazed with bright light. He cut through the darkness like slicing through a curtain, unveiling the yard.
The shadows lashed at Caelum, tossing him against a tree with a violent thud.
“Caelum!” Alora tried to go to him, but the claws tightened on her neck. Not to strangle but to warn her to stay. Then he released her.
A demonic creature stepped out from behind her as if the night had birthed him.
Horns curled like polished onyx above his brow. Two immense draconic wings unfurled behind him, each crowned with a hooked crest-claw, the membrane stretched taut between ribbed spans tipped with wicked talons. Shadows clung to him like living things. Scales dusted his cheekbones and traced the hard planes of his chest. His claws flexed slowly at his sides, as though testing the air.
Alora’s breath stuttered. “Rune…”
He looked at her with eyes were as black as a starless void, reflecting eerily in the dark. Deep within that darkness, crimson burned like eternal flame as his gaze swept from her to Caelum.
When he spoke, his voice reverberated, layered, as if the shadows themselves carried his will.“You dare take my wife?”
“She deserves better than you, demon.” Caelum lifted his weapon and the blade blazed white, the brilliance searing against Rune’s cheek until smoke curled from his skin. “Even the light spurns you.”
He swung.
The sword struck Rune’s palm and stopped with a ringing clang, as though it had met ironstone. It hissed against his flesh. Smoke rose. The scent of scorched shadow filled the air.
“How brave,” Rune murmured. His claws tightened. “And utterly pathetic.”
The silver glyphs carved along the blade flared once in defiance, then guttered as Rune crushed the sword in his grip, splintering it cleanly in two.
Shadows snatched Caelum’s throat and lifted him into the air. He thrashed, clawing at his neck, fingers swiping through smoke. His face turned purple, gasping for air.
“Stop it!” Alora cried. “You’re killing him!”
The shadows tightened around Caelum like a noose, his eyes rolling.
“Rune.” She took a step, the wind howling as her own voice echoed. “If you kill him, I will never forgive you.”
His gaze cut to her. The atmosphere seemed to tilt around that burning stare, flickering with flame. Her heart pounded wildly. But despite her fear, she stepped closer.
“Ileft of my own accord,” Alora murmured. “Should you desire to punish someone then let it fall on me.”
Rune laughed softly, bearing his fangs. “Oh, I most certainly will.”
Alora swallowed at the dark promise. She continued and forced steel into her voice. “To harm him is to harm me.”
The words struck. For a heartbeat the rage flickered, revealing something raw and wounded beneath. The shadows immediately loosened and tossed Caelum aside. He hit the damp earth, wheezing for air.
