Aria didn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the whisper in the dark:
"Bride…"
Her whole body trembled. The room was silent now, but the shadows still felt alive—
watching her… waiting.
She hugged her knees and stared at the door, slightly open.
A faint red glow leaked in.
Kael was out there.
Protecting her.
Whether she liked him or not—
she needed him tonight.
Aria swallowed hard and stood up.
She walked quietly to the door and peeked out.
Kael sat on the steps, one knee raised, his arm resting casually over it. His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dark hall. Even sitting still, he looked powerful… untouchable.
And tired.
She didn't expect that.
His head tilted slightly.
"I told you to rest," he said without looking at her.
Aria jumped. "H-how did you know I was here?"
His voice softened.
"I can sense you."
She blinked. "Because of the mark?"
Kael slowly looked up at her — his eyes locking with hers.
"No," he said quietly.
"Because it's you."
Aria's heart skipped.
Kael stood and walked toward her, stopping just inches away.
The air between them warmed.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.
She shook her head. "The shadows… the whispers… I can feel them watching."
Kael lifted a hand slowly, brushing a stray hair from her face.
"They won't come again," he murmured. "I burned that spirit out of existence."
Aria pressed her lips together.
"You keep risking yourself for me."
He smirked lightly. "I'm not that fragile, Aria."
"That's not what I meant!"
He blinked, surprised.
Aria took a small breath.
"What if protecting me puts you in danger? What if your council punishes you for bringing me here?"
Kael stepped closer until their shadows merged.
"Let them try."
His voice was a low growl, deadly and protective.
But Aria shook her head. "I don't want you to fight your whole world because of me."
Something flickered in Kael's expression—
pain, frustration, longing—she couldn't tell.
"You don't understand, Aria," he said softly.
"Since the moment your mark awakened… you became the most important part of my world."
Aria felt her pulse race.
Before she could speak, Kael turned suddenly—his eyes narrowing.
A ripple of black energy moved through the hall.
"What… was that?" Aria whispered.
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Someone is approaching."
Aria's stomach dropped.
"Who?"
Kael stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body.
"The one demon in this realm more dangerous than the council."
Aria grabbed his arm instinctively.
"Kael—who is it?!"
He exhaled slowly, crimson aura rising around him.
"My brother."
Aria froze.
"Your… brother?"
Kael nodded once.
"And he is not here to welcome you."
The temperature dropped instantly—thick, cold, suffocating.
A tall figure walked out of the shadows at the end of the corridor—
silver hair, black armor, colder eyes than Kael… and a cruel smile.
"Little brother," the newcomer said.
"Is this the human girl causing all the chaos?"
Aria felt her breath stop.
Kael growled under his breath.
"Stay behind me," he whispered.
Aria didn't need telling twice.
Kael's brother stepped forward, aura sharp like a blade.
"So," he said, lips curling,
"This is the girl carrying the blood mark."
Kael's aura flared violently.
"Do not touch her."
His brother laughed softly.
"I haven't touched her yet."
He leaned his head slightly.
"But I am curious, brother… why would the prophecy choose a fragile human… to be your bride?"
Aria's eyes went wide.
Kael bared his teeth slightly—a warning.
"You will not speak of her like that."
The brother smirked.
"So protective already? Interesting."
Kael stepped forward.
Aria grabbed his cloak.
"Kael, don't—please…"
For a moment, his anger faltered.
He turned his head slightly toward her voice—
and that was enough for his brother to smirk wider.
"I see," he said. "The little human already has your leash."
Kael's eyes flared crimson.
"If you value your life," Kael said quietly,
"leave. Now."
His brother tilted his head.
"…Or what?"
The ground cracked beneath Kael's feet.
Aria gasped.
Kael whispered:
"I will show you what happens to anyone who threatens my bride."
The hallway trembled.
Magic swirled.
The two demon brothers stood ready—
the air between them hot and electric.
And Aria realized—
This was only the beginning.