Chapter Twenty Three – Isla the Witch.

Chapter Twenty Three – Isla the Witch.
“So... the King knows now, huh?” Kaidon’s voice was low, his eyes scanning the thick woods surrounding his castle as he walked beside Rylan.

“Yes.” Rylan replied with a quiet sigh. “And he’s furious. As expected.” His tone was edged with unease. “I told you it was a bad idea—”

Kaidon stopped in his tracks, turning his head slowly toward Rylan, his eyes like stormclouds darkening.

“I needed my soulmate.” he snapped, voice laced with restrained rage.

Rylan swallowed and nodded cautiously. “I know… I know you did. But your presence—your energy—it gave everything away. It was too strong. According to our spy, though, the King hasn’t made a move yet. No orders. No strategy. So for now, no war.”

“I’m not afraid of that coward.” Kaidon hissed, his jaw tight with fury.

“My father’s greatest mistake was kneeling to their rules instead of burning that wretched castle to the ground. He should’ve taken what was rightfully his.”

Rylan stayed quiet, the weight of Kaidon’s bitterness sinking deep into the silence between them.

Kaidon resumed walking, his long strides unforgiving. Then Rylan, hesitantly, broke the silence again.

“And… how is Taliya?”

Kaidon froze.

His entire body stiffened, the muscles in his shoulders coiling. Slowly, he turned his head, casting Rylan a look that sent a chill down his spine.

“Don’t say her name.” Kaidon warned, voice low and venomous. His eyes gleamed like burning coal. “She is mine. Only mine.”

Rylan’s throat tightened. “I—I understand.”

“She’s your queen. You will address her as such.” Kaidon said coldly, the air around him thick with possessiveness.

“And I don’t want you near her.” he added with finality, before turning his back and continuing down the path.

Rylan lingered behind for a moment, watching Kaidon’s retreating figure, a knot forming in his chest.

‘This won’t be easy…’ he thought grimly, then followed after him.

♤♤♤

Alaric was deep in his books, the scent of old pages thick in the air as he turned through ancient texts with sharp focus.

Then, the heavy library door creaked open and a guard stepped in.

“Lord Alaric. You have a visitor.” the guard said, eyes lowered.

Alaric didn’t look up. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

“She was... adamant, my lord. Said it was for your own benefit.”

Alaric’s fingers stilled on the page. His gaze narrowed. “She?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Bring her in.” he said coldly, closing the book with a sharp thud.

The guard gave a quick bow and exited. Alaric stood, pushing away from his chair and adjusting the collar of his dark robe. He felt the shift in the air even before the door opened again.

Then, she entered.

A cloaked figure, cloaked in something far more dangerous than just fabric—an aura that made the very air feel heavy. Chilling. Menacing. Power licked at the walls around her like invisible flames.

Alaric straightened, his senses on full alert.

“Who are you?” he asked, his voice edged in warning.

The woman slowly lifted her hood. Pale silvery strands slipped free, and then—those eyes.

Deep, gleaming amethyst that shimmered like a curse beneath moonlight.

Her smirk was the kind that belonged to someone who already knew too much.

“Well, hello, Your Majesty.” she purred. “I do hope I haven’t disturbed your precious silence.”

Alaric’s jaw clenched. “I’ll ask one more time. Who are you?”

She gave a mock bow. “My name is Isla.”

“You said this visit was for my benefit. Let’s hear it.”

Isla stared at him for a moment, then let out a soft, condescending laugh.

“So powerful… and yet still hiding behind your books. It’s cute.”

Alaric’s fist curled at his side. “You reek of dark magic.” he growled. “You’re a witch.”

She clapped slowly, walking toward him with light, mocking steps.

“And here I thought I masked my scent well. You’re sharp, Lord Alaric. I like that.”

He didn’t flinch. His molten-gold eyes began to glow faintly. “Why are you here?”

Isla paused mid-step, her expression shifting into something sharper. “No matter how powerful you become… Kaidon will always be ten steps ahead of you.”

Alaric’s glow intensified, a dangerous glint in his eye. “Are you here to mock me?”

Isla tilted her head, watching him with amusement and something darker beneath.

“No,” she whispered. “I’m here to help you kill him.”

That caught him off guard. The glow in his eyes dimmed slightly as his body stilled.

“I’m listening.” he said coldly.

“Oh, wow. Didn’t know that would get your attention so fast.” Isla’s smirk curled like smoke, slow and taunting.

“Don’t push your luck, witch.” Alaric snapped, eyes glowing faintly “Start spilling.”

Isla rolled her eyes like she was already bored. “Cursed demons… always so tightly wound. So tempted, so impulsive. Patience clearly wasn’t passed down your bloodline.”

His glare didn’t waver.

Isla finally gave in with a sigh. “Fine. The easiest way to destroy Kaidon… is through his soulmate.”

Alaric blinked once, his brow twitching. “Is this a joke?” His tone cut like a blade.

“I don’t joke when it comes to business, Lord Alaric.” Isla said coolly.

“Then explain the absurdity of this soulmate plan.”

“The only being who can end Kaidon… is his soulmate. She has to kill him herself.”

Alaric scoffed, taking a slow step forward. “That’s impossible. There hasn’t been a Carrier in this realm for decades. My father made sure of that.”

Isla giggled then, and the sound was both beautiful and unsettling. “Oh, but Kaidon has one now.”

Alaric’s eyes narrowed. “What nonsense are you spewing?”

She didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she stepped closer, her silver hair catching a sliver of candlelight as her smirk deepened.

“I assume you heard about the little… trespass a few days ago?” she asked sweetly.

Alaric stilled.

“What?”