Morning came softly in the Drowned City.
Sunlight filtered through the coral walls, turning the room into a kaleidoscope of gold and rose.
Kael woke slowly, still wrapped in Dorian’s arms.
For a moment, he forgot everything.
Then he remembered: the throne, the power, the empire, the war.
And Dorian’s heartbeat against his back.
He smiled into the pillow.
“Stop smiling,” Dorian mumbled.
“It’s too early for happiness.”
“You’re awake.”
“Unfortunately.” Dorian’s arm tightened around Kael’s waist.
“You’re warm. I’m comfortable. The world can wait.”
Kael turned in his arms.
Dorian’s eyes were still heavy with sleep, his dark hair a mess, the scar on his face silver in the morning light.
He was beautiful.
“You’re staring,” Dorian said.
“You’re worth staring at.”
Dorian’s cheeks flushed — actually flushed — and Kael’s heart soared.
He had made this rogue blush.
“You’re dangerous,” Dorian muttered.
“You taught me that.”
Dorian pulled him closer and kissed him — slow, sleepy, perfect.
A knock at the door interrupted them.
“The city has a problem,” came Aeran’s voice, dry as ever.
“Get dressed. Both of you.”
Kael groaned.
Dorian threw a pillow at the door.
They found Aeran in the throne room, standing before a glowing map of the city.
Spirits gathered around him, their translucent faces anxious.
“A spy,” Aeran said without preamble.
“One of the living — not a spirit — entered the city last night while you two were… occupied.”
Kael’s blood went cold.
“One of Morwen’s soldiers?”
“We don’t know. They moved too quickly. Used shadow magic to hide from the spirits.” Aeran’s silver eyes were hard.
Dorian’s hand went to his sword — which was still broken.
He cursed.
“The empire knows where we are,” Dorian said.
“They know the city is real. And now they have someone on the inside.”
Kael felt the power inside him stir.
Rise.
Respond.
“They won’t find anything,” Kael said.
His voice echoed strangely — touched by the throne’s magic.
“I won’t let them.”
Aeran looked at him sharply.
“You cannot simply will the spy away, Kael. Shadow magic is old. Older than the Drowned. It hides what cannot be found.”
“Then we find it another way.” Kael turned to Dorian.
“You’ve dealt with spies before. How?”
Dorian’s jaw tightened.
“You find what they want. And you wait.”
“That’s it?”
“Spies always make mistakes. They get greedy. They take one risk too many.” Dorian met Kael’s eyes.
“We set a trap. We catch them. And then —” He touched his scar.
“We make them talk.”
Kael nodded slowly.
“Do it,” he said.
“But no killing. Not yet.”
Dorian raised an eyebrow.
“You’re giving orders now?”
“I’m the king.” Kael almost smiled.
“Apparently.”
Dorian laughed — a real laugh, bright and warm.
“Yes, your majesty,” he said, bowing mockingly.
Kael shoved his shoulder.
Aeran watched them both, something unreadable in his ancient eyes.
“You remind me of him,” Aeran said quietly.
“My husband. He used to look at me like that. Like I was the sun.” The source of this chapter is g.com.
The room went quiet.
Kael stepped forward.
“What was his name?”
Aeran’s silver eyes dimmed.
“Caelum,” he whispered.
“His name was Caelum. And I have not spoken it aloud in three hundred years.”
Kael reached out.
Took Aeran’s translucent hand.
It felt like cool water against his skin.
“Then say it again,” Kael said.
“Keep saying it. The empire tried to erase him. Don’t let them.”
Aeran stared at him.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
“Caelum,” he said again.
Stronger this time.
“My husband. My heart. My king.”
The spirits in the room stirred.
Some wept — silent, ghostly tears.
Dorian moved to stand beside Kael.
Their shoulders touched.
“We’ll find the spy,” Dorian said.
“And then we’ll burn the empire to the ground.”
Kael looked at him.
“No burning. Just… teaching.”
Dorian grinned.
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m invincible. That’s better than fun.”
Dorian kissed his temple.
“Debatable.”
Aeran sighed.
“Young love,” he muttered again.
But he was smiling.