A feminine cry cleaves the air.
“Elias!”
The scent registers first—roses, sweet roses in the rain.
No. Why is she here?
My eyes snap open.
Lana.
Chapter 59: CRIMSON VOWS
My heart rips toshreds at the sight of Elias crumpled on the floor.
Face ashen. Red dousing his shirt. His breath a rattle.
“No,” I sob, collapsing beside him, tears blurring my view of his beautiful face.
His eyes snap open, panic flashing through the haze.
“L-Lana, why are you here? Go,” he whispers, voice weak. “It’s too dangerous. Go, please.”
I shake my head and slam my palm against the emergency button. Somewhere, alarms bloom—Code Silver, Code Red. More screams of terror.
I grab the nearest bedsheet and press it to his wound.
Warmth floods through the white fabric, relentless.
He reaches for me, fingers shaking.
I lift his hand—it’s ice—to my lips and breathe warmth onto his knuckles.
“Stay strong, Elias. Tristan went to get backup and doctors. You’re at a hospital. You’ll be fine. Help is coming.”
Elias’s throat works, surprise flickering on his face.
Another sob breaks from me. “I partnered with him to save you. Got you immunity and everything. But we couldn’t reach you in time.”
Tears drench my face and salt my mouth. The plan had worked—until it didn’t.
Our PR liaison was late, and then she took a detour to avoid the honor walk.
By the time we reached the floor, chaos erupted—shots, screams, a flood of fleeing bodies. Tristan knew we were possibly outnumbered. He went for help and to call it in.
“Myzemër,” Elias rasps, his bloody fingers trailing down my cheek. “Why would you risk yourself for me? I’m a monster. I kill. I’m not the man you remember—”
“Shut. Up.” I clutch his shoulder, raining frantic kisses on his face. “I don’t care if you’re Kian or Elias. I love and choose both. I’d take any piece of you rather than nothing. You’llneverget rid of me, so you listen carefully—”
Pulling back, I wipe my eyes and lace my fingers with his.
“You’re going to survive this. Death didn’t claim you all those years ago. It won’t claim you now. Because you know why?”
I lean in, watching his pulse flutter at his temple.
“You’re the Shadow King, the king of the underworld, and I’m your queen. You don’t die. B-Because…”
Pressing a kiss onto his ear, I whisper, “I love you. Only you. Forever you.”
