The star-valley collapsed into a whirlwind of shadow and flame. Aeloria's feet hit solid ground, breath shuddering as the world around her stilled. But she wasn't alone. She could never be alone here.
Two energies pressed in on her from either side—one cold as midnight hunger, one hot as molten gold.
The vampire materialized first, darkness curling like smoke around his form. Eyes burning crimson. Chest rising with restrained intensity. Everything about him thrummed with the kind of controlled danger that made her knees weaken.
Then came the dragon—heat roaring before he even fully formed. Golden fire coiled around him like armor, scales faintly visible beneath his human shape. His gaze locked onto her with the possessive intensity of a predator who recognized what belonged to him.
The chamber vibrated, as if absorbing the tension rippling off all three of them.
The vampire stepped forward first—slow, deliberate."Little star," he murmured, the nickname darker now, rougher. "You stand marked by the Sovereign Flame. You carry power meant for kings. And yet…" His eyes dropped to the glowing sigils on her skin. "…you tremble."
He lifted her chin with two fingers, not gently this time. Assertive. Claiming.Her breath hitched.
Because he was right.
Something inside her had changed.
Something dangerous.
The dragon's low growl cut through the air—not threatening, but demanding attention. He stalked toward her with the confidence of a creature who answered to no one.
"Careful, vampire," he rumbled. "She trembles because she is awakening. Do not mistake that for weakness."
The vampire smirked without looking away from her. "Oh, I never assumed weakness."
His thumb traced the edge of her jaw—slow enough to tease, firm enough to electrify every nerve in her body.
The dragon stepped behind her, warmth enveloping her spine. One hand hovered just above her waist, not touching—yet she felt it, like heat threatening to bite through her skin.
Two auras.Two powers.Two beings circling her with the kind of intensity that could shatter worlds.
Aeloria drew a shaky breath. "What… is happening to me?"
The dragon leaned close enough that his breath brushed her ear. "You are aligning. The Flame has chosen your truth. It is forcing what you deny into the open."
"And what is that?" she whispered, though she already knew.
"Us," the vampire murmured.
"Together," the dragon added.
The chamber pulsed.
Aeloria's heart thundered. The Celestial Bond snapped tight, pulling all three of them closer—too close—until their breaths mingled.
Heat rippled down her spine. Shadows curled up her legs. The combined magic pressed against her skin like twin hands, coaxing, provoking.
"This power," the vampire whispered, pressing his forehead to hers, "awakens only when desire and destiny are aligned."
"And when you finally stop running from it," the dragon growled softly behind her.
The Bond surged. Aeloria gasped as threads of gold and crimson wrapped around her wrists, her waist, her throat—not binding, but claiming her in a way no physical touch ever had.
She should have stepped back.She didn't.
"Tell us," the vampire whispered, voice dark silk. "What do you feel?"
Aeloria's pulse pounded painfully."I feel—"The words tangled in her throat.
Desire.Fear.Need.Destiny.All of it. Too much.
The dragon's lips brushed the back of her neck—not quite a kiss, but close enough to steal her breath."Say it, little star."
The vampire's grip on her chin tightened slightly, guiding her gaze to his."Speak your truth."
And the Bond—merging fire and shadow—demanded it.
Aeloria inhaled sharply, body shaking under the combined force of them.
"I feel… pulled," she whispered."To both of you."
And the Sanctum exploded with light.