Lucien had faced death countless times.
He had walked beside monsters, fought through centuries of nightmares, survived curses that shattered lesser creatures into dust.
But nothing—nothing—had ever terrified him like the sight of Elara's limp body in his arms.
Her head rested against his shoulder, her skin pale, her breaths so faint he could barely feel them through the bond.
He shook her gently.
"Elara—open your eyes. Please."
Nothing.
The chamber spun as panic clawed at his chest. The bond flickered, weaker than ever. He could feel her slipping—not physically, but spiritually. Her light was collapsing inward like a dying star.
The Ghostborn watched with calm, eerie stillness.
"She is moments from fading," he said softly. "Her spirit is losing anchor."
Lucien's head snapped up, fangs bared. "Then tell me how to save her."
"I already did," the Ghostborn replied. "The Shadow Kiss."
Elias shook his head fiercely. "Lucien, no. You know what that ritual does."
Lucien ignored him, eyes locked on the Ghostborn.
"What must I do?"
The Ghostborn stepped forward until he stood only a few feet away. His presence was unsettling—neither alive nor dead, like a whisper wearing a body.
"A Shadow Kiss," he said, "is a merging of essence. A sharing of life force. It binds your shadow to her light."
Lucien's grip tightened around Elara.
"Does it save her?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"And it binds you beyond death."
Lucien's heart slammed.
He knew that part. Shadow Kisses were ancient—older than vampires, older than the Devourer. Some said they were the first bond ever created.
Elias stepped forward. "Lucien, listen to me—this is a permanent merging of fate. You won't just be bonded. You'll be tied in ways no prophecy can undo."
Lucien looked down at Elara's face, brushing a trembling thumb across her cheek.
"She's all I have," he whispered. "I won't lose her."
Elias cursed under his breath. "And what if you doom her destiny by tying it to yours? What if the bond ruins everything she's meant to be?"
Lucien's jaw trembled.
He wanted to choose the world.
He wanted to choose prophecy.
He wanted to choose what was "right."
But Elara…
Elara was slipping.
Her head lolled. Her hand fell limp against his chest.
"Lucien…" she whispered faintly.
A breath, barely there.
"…cold…"
He froze.
The bond flickered weakly inside him.
Not gone.
But fading.
"No," he breathed. "Elara, stay. Stay with me."
Her eyelids fluttered, unfocused.
"…hurts…"
He clutched her closer, every part of him breaking. "I'm here. I'm right here."
Her light dimmed again.
Lucien looked at the Ghostborn, voice cracking.
"What must I do?"
Elias stepped between them. "Lucien, STOP. If you do this—you lose control of your curse. The shadows will fuse with her light. You might harm her unintentionally."
Lucien's eyes burned. "She'll die if I don't."
"She might die if you do," Elias insisted.
Elara's fingers twitched weakly, reaching for him—barely a movement, but it gutted him.
Lucien caught her hand against his chest.
"I made her a promise," he whispered. "I won't break it."
His decision was made.
Elias looked defeated. "Lucien…"
Lucien turned to the Ghostborn. "Tell me how."
The Ghostborn nodded.
"Lay her on the ground."
Lucien obeyed, gently lowering Elara onto the cool stone floor. Her head rested in his lap, her hair fanned out like threads of gold.
The Ghostborn lifted his hands, and runes along the chamber walls began to glow—soft silver mixed with deep shadow.
"The Shadow Kiss is not of lips," he said. "It is of essence."
Lucien nodded, breathing hard.
"You will place your hand over her heart," the Ghostborn continued, "and she over yours."
Lucien swallowed. "She can't lift her hand."
"Then guide it."
Lucien took Elara's frail hand and placed it over his chest. Her fingers were cold—too cold. He pressed his own palm over her heart.
A faint glow pulsed beneath his hand. Weak. Fragile.
"Now," the Ghostborn said, "you must call her spirit back."
Lucien froze. "Call her… how?"
"With truth."
Lucien stared down at her pale face, his voice barely a breath.
"Elara… come back."
Her breath fluttered but didn't steady.
"You can't leave," he whispered. "Not now. Not when I finally—"
His voice broke.
"—when I finally found something worth living for."
Her eyelids didn't move.
Panic ripped through him.
"Elara, please—listen to me," he said desperately. "I know I'm cursed. I know I'm wrong for you. I know fate was cruel to put us together. But you—"
His voice cracked again.
"You made me want to fight it anyway."
Nothing.
He shook, tears hitting her cheek.
"You're the first light I've ever touched that didn't burn me."
A dim glow flickered under her skin.
Elias gasped. "Lucien—whatever you're doing—keep doing it!"
Lucien leaned closer, forehead pressed to hers.
"Stay with me," he whispered, voice shaking.
"I can't lose you. I won't survive losing you."
Her hand twitched slightly against his chest.
The Ghostborn raised his voice.
"Now—the binding!"
Lucien inhaled sharply.
He focused every fragment of his being—every shadow, every sliver of immortal strength—and pushed his essence toward her.
Darkness flowed from his hand, curling into her heart.
Light flowed from her palm, striking into his chest.
The chamber erupted in twin forces—shadow and light colliding, twisting, merging.
Elara gasped as her body arched.
Lucien's eyes widened in pain as her light burned into him—but he didn't pull away.
"Hold!" the Ghostborn commanded.
Elara's voice broke through the chamber—a raw, faint cry of pain.
Lucien's heart shattered.
"I'm here," he whispered. "I'm right here."
Her light surged.
His shadow answered.
The bond roared to life—brighter, deeper, older than anything either of them had ever felt.
Then—
Everything went still.
A soft gasp.
Elara's chest rose—
And Lucien nearly collapsed with relief.
She was breathing.
Her skin glowed faintly with soft gold.
Her eyes fluttered open—weak, confused, but alive.
"Lucien…?" she whispered.
His shoulders shook, and he pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.
"Elara," he breathed. "Thank the stars—you're here."
She closed her eyes, leaning into him.
But then—
A sharp pain jolted through the bond.
Lucien stiffened.
Elara gasped.
Elias stumbled back. "What—what's happening?!"
The Ghostborn watched calmly.
"It is done," he said. "Your lives… your fates… your powers…"
He looked at them with something like pity.
"…are one."
Lucien clutched Elara tighter.
And she whispered, fear trembling in her voice:
"Lucien… what have we done?"