The weekend arrived quickly than Isolde expected.
She stood before the mirror in her room, adjusting her dress, when Kael walked in. His sharp gaze swept over her, taking in every detail.
"I will escort you, Princess," Kael said firmly.
"No need," Isolde replied without turning to him.
Kael frowned. "I have told you several times, my princess—humans are not good to our kind. Why do you still insist on mingling with them?"
"Who would want to get involved with a blood sucking demon? Kael asked her trying to get her to face reality.
"I will take the risk, Kael," Isolde said softly but firmly.
Then she paused. "Besides… the seer had appeared to me three days ago."
Kael's expression changed instantly.
"And you are only telling me this now?" he asked.
"I—I didn't want to bother you," Isolde answered quietly.
Kael sighed and gently pulled her toward the bed. They sat facing each other, his hands resting over hers.
"Tell me how it happened," he said. " with every single detail."
"Did she say anything about the key?" he added urgently.
"Calm down, Kael," Isolde said, pressing his hands down.
"She said I must find the man who bears the mark of the Cursed Moon."
"The Cursed Moon?" Kael repeated slowly.
"Yes. That's why I need to explore the world," Isolde continued. "I can't stay locked in the coven and still find him."
Kael fell silent, his thoughts racing.
"And…" Isolde hesitated.
"And what?" Kael asked, lifting a brow.
"She said the man who bears the—" Isolde stopped, her gaze drifting to Kael's face.
How can I tell him yet, I am not yet sure if my destined mate is a human or not? she thought.
Kael watched her closely. "Go on."
"It's nothing," Isolde said quickly dismissively.
Kael studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. But promise me something, princess."
She looked up at him.
"Always tell me everything. You are not a burden—you are my duty. Protecting you is my life's purpose. I promised your father I would keep you safe."
Isolde nodded slowly.
When all this is over, Kael thought, I will tell the king my true intentions toward you.
Snow fell gently in the park as Jace stood waiting, his jacket pulled tight, his breath visible in the cold air.
Then he saw her.
"Isolde!"
He ran toward her, relief flashing across his face.
"Sorry I'm late," she said apologetically.
Jace stared at her. She looked breathtaking—but she was dressed too lightly for the cold.
Without a word, he removed one of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
"I'm fine," Isolde protested. "I'm not cold."
"You need it ," Jace insisted, wrapping it snugly around her. "I don't want you getting sick."
For a moment, she simply looked at him.
Then, side by side, they walked into a nearby restaurant, snow crunching beneath their feet.
Inside the Restaurant
Isolde sat across from Jace, the soft lights of the restaurant reflecting in her Stormy blue gray eyes.
"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" she asked, trying to sound calm.
Jace leaned back slightly, studying her face.
"Because… you look off."
Isolde stiffened.
Off?
Her heart skipped.
Has he figured it out? Did I slip? Did he notice something?
"You don't look human," Jace added.
Panic surged through her veins.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice tense. "I am human."
Jace immediately raised his hands in surrender.
"No, no — that's not what I meant."
He leaned forward, his expression softening.
"I meant… you look too breathtaking to be human. Like you're something rare. Something unreal. Like an angel that somehow found her way down here — just for me."
The fear inside her melted instantly.
"Oh…"
A soft blush dusted her cheeks as she looked away shyly.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Jace smiled, satisfied that he had made her smile.
"What would you like to eat?" he asked.
"Meat," Isolde replied without hesitation.
Jace paused for a brief second, studying her, then nodded. He called the waiter and quietly gave an order.
Moments later, the waiter returned with a tray and carefully placed the dishes on the table before leaving.
"Thank you," Isolde said sweetly.
They ate together, laughter slipping between small conversations. For the first time, Isolde almost forgot the weight of her secret.
Outside the Restaurant
After dinner, they stepped outside just as fireworks burst across the night sky.
Colorful lights exploded above them, painting the darkness in gold, red, and silver.
Isolde gasped softly, her eyes glowing with excitement as she looked up.
"It's beautiful…" she whispered.
But Jace wasn't looking at the sky.
He was looking at her.
The way the fireworks reflected in her eyes.
The way her lips parted in awe.
The way she looks so alive… yet so mysterious.
And in that moment, he realized something dangerous.
He wasn't just intrigued by her.
He was falling.
The night ended more peacefully than Isolde had expected.
The music had faded, the laughter died down, and after much persuasion, she finally allowed Jace to drive her home. She had insisted she could manage on her own, but Jace had refused.
Now they stood at the grand entrance of the estate.
Kael was already waiting for her.
The air shifted the moment Jace noticed him.
"So… he's your uncle?" Jace asked again, his voice carrying a trace of disbelief.
"Yes," Isolde answered calmly.
Jace swallowed.
Uncle?
The man standing before him looked nothing like any uncle he had ever seen. He was too composed. Too flawless. His dark aura carried something scary… something dangerous. And those eyes — sharp, unreadable — were fixed on him.
How can someone look that perfect… and still feel so terrifying? Jace wondered.
He was young himself, confident, admired by many. Yet standing before this man made him feel strangely small.
"I'm glad you've confirmed that," Kael said at last, his deep voice smooth but edged with quiet authority.
The words sounded polite.
The tone was not.
"And I would prefer," Kael continued, taking a slow step forward, "not to see you around her again."
Jace stiffened.
So he had noticed.
Kael had followed them. Watched. Observed every glance Jace gave Isolde.
"No— no," Jace protested too quickly.
Kael's eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Wait. I mean… it's not like you're going to marry her," Jace added, trying to recover, forcing a half-smile.
The air grew colder.
Kael's brow arched higher, amusement flickering briefly in his eyes — but it wasn't warm amusement. It was the kind a predator gives before deciding whether to strike.
"She's not your possession," Jace said, the courage in him rising despite the warning bells in his head. "She's a lady. She can decide for herself."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Isolde felt it before it happened.
"Guards," Kael called calmly.
Two men appeared almost instantly from the shadows.
"Throw him out."
Before Jace could react, he was lifted off his feet.
"Hey! Put me down! Isolde—" he called.
His voice faded as he was dragged beyond the gates.
The estate fell quiet again.
Too quiet.
Kael turned to Isolde immediately, the cold authority disappearing from his face. He cupped her shoulders gently, scanning her for injuries.
"Did he touch you?" he asked quietly.
"I'm fine," she answered.
But she wasn't.
Not entirely.
The scent of Jace's blood still lingered faintly in her senses. Warm. Human. Alive.
Her throat burned.
She looked up at Kael, her eyes darker now, the control she had held all evening thinning.
"Can I feed on you tonight?" she asked softly.
Kael froze.
Their eyes locked.