Skylar pov:
I woke to soft sunlight spilling through my window, chasing away the shadows of the previous night. The strange magic lingering in my mind felt distant—almost like a bad dream. Grabbing my books, I made my way into the academy, the familiar buzz of laughter and friendly faces wrapping around me like a warm cloak.Walking through the hallways, I let myself be fully here—among friends, where nothing felt heavy or dangerous. I smiled at the teasing jokes, joined in the lighthearted competitions, and for a moment, felt like every worry had melted away.Then, I caught a glimpse of him—Damien—leaning casually against the stone archway, his eyes locked onto me in a way that made my heart skip. It wasn't just a look; it was something deeper, filled with silent words I couldn't quite understand but wanted desperately to hear.I felt a heat rise in my cheeks, but I looked away quickly, pretending not to notice. What was this strange pull between us? I had no answers, only the certainty that whatever this was, it was dangerous.Before I could gather my thoughts, a chill brushed past me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure cloaked in shadow, their voice slipping like a whisper into the air around Damien: "Guard her well, for darkness hunts what you hold dear."Fear prickled along my skin. The warning wasn't for me—but somehow, I felt it dig beneath my skin, threading itself into the mystery of who I was, and what was coming.The morning light couldn't chase away that shadow—not yet.
The warning lingered in my mind like a dark echo as the day slipped by. Every glance I caught from Damien felt loaded with meaning—unspoken promises tangled with caution. I wanted to ask him what he knew, but the words stuck in my throat like thorned vines.When the afternoon sun dipped low, I found myself near the quiet courtyard—away from the noise, where the air felt cooler and safer. Damien appeared beside me without a sound, his presence grounding yet electric."Do you always watch like that?" I teased, trying to lighten the heaviness between us.He smirked, a flash of something tender in his eyes. "Only when you're in trouble."The simplicity of his words pulled something loose in me—a fragile hope wrapped in danger. "I don't even know who I really am," I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "And now, there's this darkness... trying to find me."Damien's gaze sharpened, protective fire flickering beneath his calm. "You're not alone in that. Whatever is coming, we face it together."Before I could find more words, a chill swept past again, like a warning breeze. The shadowy figure's voice echoed faintly in my thoughts—Guard her well.My heart quickened, torn between fear and a growing need to trust the Demon King who claimed no one could love a villain—except maybe, just maybe, a girl hiding her own secrets.