Aeloria felt it before she saw it.
The forest was too quiet.
Her lantern flickered as she stepped carefully between the towering trees just beyond Lunareth's borders. She shouldn't have been there—everyone knew the Moonwood was forbidden after dark—but the mark on her wrist pulsed insistently, guiding her feet forward like a silent compass.
"Just a little farther," she whispered to herself.
Then—
A branch snapped.
She spun around, heart racing.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
The air grew colder, heavier. Her lantern light dimmed, shadows stretching unnaturally along the forest floor. Panic curled in her chest as she took a step back—
—and collided with someone solid.
Strong arms caught her before she could fall.
Aeloria gasped, her hands pressing instinctively against a broad chest. She looked up—and froze.
Dark eyes stared back at her, sharp and unreadable. His hair was black as midnight, his expression guarded, as though he carried secrets heavier than armor. Moonlight slipped through the leaves above, illuminating a faint silver mark glowing on his hand.
They were standing far too close.
Neither of them moved.
"You shouldn't be here," he said quietly.
His voice wasn't harsh—but it wasn't gentle either.
"I could say the same to you," Aeloria replied, surprised by the steadiness of her own voice.
Something flickered in his gaze. Recognition.
Slowly, reluctantly, he released her—but not before his fingers brushed her wrist.
The mark flared.
Both of them sucked in a sharp breath.
Kael stepped back as if burned.
"It's really you," he murmured.
Aeloria's pulse thundered. "You know me?"
He hesitated.
Too long.
"I know of you."
The wind surged between them, leaves swirling violently as the forest seemed to awaken. Aeloria felt magic coil in her chest—wild, untrained, dangerous.
Kael moved instantly, positioning himself between her and the darkness beyond.
"Stay behind me," he ordered.
"Why should I trust you?" she demanded.
He glanced back at her, eyes softer now—burdened.
"Because," he said quietly, "I've been sworn to protect you with my life."
The forest roared.
And Aeloria realized one terrifying truth—
Meeting him had changed everything.