Kael’s golden hand hovered inches from Sera’s face.
The shadow magic writhed on her skin like snakes.
It hissed at his touch — recoiled, then struck.
Kael didn’t flinch.
He was invincible.
The shadows bounced off him like water off stone.
Sera screamed — not in pain, but in resistance.
The magic inside her fought to stay.
“Let me help you,” Kael said quietly.
“You can’t,” Sera gasped.
“It’s too deep. It’s in my blood. My bones. My —”
“Your heart?” Kael finished.
“I’ve seen deeper shadows. I’ve sat on a throne of bones and spoken my truth to a dead king. A little empire magic doesn’t scare me.”
He pressed his palm to her forehead.
Gold met shadow.
The temple shook.
Dust fell from the cracked dome.
Dorian stumbled back, shielding his eyes.
Kael saw everything.
Sera’s memories flooded into him — not by choice, but because the magic demanded it.
He saw her as a child, braiding flowers into her hair.
He saw her reading to him by candlelight, patient and kind.
He saw the night the Emperor’s soldiers came to their village.
The questions.
The threats.
The moment they put a knife to her little brother’s throat.
“Tell us about Kael,” the soldier had said.
“Tell us where he went. Or the boy dies.”
Sera had told them everything.
Not because she was evil.
Because she was terrified.
Kael felt tears run down his own face.
“I forgive you,” he whispered.
Sera sobbed.
The shadow magic thrashed — and then, slowly, it unraveled.
Black threads peeled away from her skin, dissolving into smoke.
Her eyes faded from pitch black to their natural brown.
She collapsed.
Kael caught her.
Dorian lowered his sword.
His expression was unreadable.
“Alive,” Kael said.
“Clean. The shadow magic is gone.”
He held Sera against his chest.
She was lighter than he remembered — the magic had been eating her from the inside.
“I’m sorry,” Sera whispered.
“I’m so sorry, Kael. I didn’t want to — they had my brother —”
“I know.” Kael rocked her gently.
“I know.”
Dorian crouched beside them.
His gray eyes were soft.
“We’ve all done things we’re not proud of,” Dorian said quietly.
“What matters is what you do next.”
Sera looked at him — really looked.
“You’re him,” she said.
“The rogue. The one the empire wants.”
“I’m the one who loves him,” Dorian corrected, nodding at Kael.
“The bounty is just paperwork.”
Sera laughed — a weak, watery sound.
“He’s always had terrible taste in men.”
Kael snorted.
“I’m right here.”
“I know.” Sera reached up.
Touched his face.
“You’re glowing.”
“I’m a king now.”
“Of course you are.” She closed her eyes.
“I always knew you were meant for something more than that village.”
They brought Sera to the royal quarters.
Aeran examined her with his silver eyes, pronouncing her free of shadow magic but weak from its influence.
Spirits brought food, water, clean clothes.
Sera ate like she hadn’t seen food in weeks.
She probably hadn’t.
While she rested, a spirit messenger arrived in the throne room.
“An army approaches,” the spirit said.
“Five thousand soldiers. War machines. Fire catapults. They will reach the coast by dawn.”
Kael felt the power inside him rise.
“How far?”
“Twenty miles. They are moving fast.” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Dorian strapped on his sword.
“We need to prepare the defenses.”
Kael shook his head.
“No.”
Dorian stared at him.
“No?”
“I’m not going to let five thousand soldiers reach this city.” Kael’s eyes blazed gold.
“I’m going to meet them.”
“Alone?”
“I’m invincible, Dorian. What are they going to do? Stab me?”
Dorian grabbed his arm.
“Being invincible doesn’t mean you can’t be captured. Or buried. Or thrown into the sea in chains.”
Kael covered Dorian’s hand with his own.
“Trust me,” he said.
“Like I trusted you on that beach.”
Dorian’s jaw tightened.
His grip loosened.
“I hate this,” he said.
“I know.”
“If you die —”
“I won’t.” Kael kissed him — quick, fierce, certain.
“I have too much to live for.”
Dorian kissed him back.
Longer.
Harder.
“Come back to me,” Dorian whispered against his lips.
“Always.”
Kael turned.
Walked toward the city gates.
The power inside him burned like a second sun.
Behind him, Sera stood in the doorway of the royal quarters, watching.
“He really loves you,” she called.
Kael looked back.
“I know,” he said.
“I love him too.”
Then he stepped out of the risen city and walked toward the empire’s army.
Alone.
Invincible.
And absolutely terrifying.