Chapter Thirty Six.

Chapter Thirty Six.
Kaidon and Rylan moved through a quieter corridor of the castle, their boots echoing faintly against the stone floor. The air felt heavier.

“Did you catch the intruder yet?” Kaidon asked, his voice clipped.

Rylan shook his head. “Not yet. But... you might be right. It could be Alaric. We’re still digging, but there’s no solid proof yet.”

Kaidon’s expression darkened, jaw tightening.

Rylan hesitated, then added carefully, “Also… the Eastern and Western regions have called for a meeting regarding the destruction of the Brimhaven Temple.”

Kaidon didn’t respond. But his silence was louder than words. Rylan saw the tension ripple through him like a gathering storm.

“If I find out Alaric was behind it,” Kaidon said coldly, “then they’ve just declared war.”

Rylan nodded stiffly. “Understood, Kaidon.”

Kaidon paused, his gaze shifting back toward the towering walls of the castle—specifically to a high balcony.

Her balcony.

Taliya’s question from earlier still echoed in his mind, refusing to leave.

"Why does she want to see the town?"

His eyes narrowed. His jaw clenched.

“Rylan,” he said suddenly, not taking his eyes off the balcony. “Would it be wise to let my soulmate see the town?”

“Yes, Kaidon,” Rylan said without hesitation.

Kaidon turned, sharply now, eyes narrowing with suspicion. “How so?”

Rylan exhaled. “I’m not questioning your choices. You’ve found your soulmate—something most only dream of. But if you truly want her to stay… to love you eventually… she needs to see more than the cold walls of this fortress.”

Kaidon let out a low growl, frustration brewing beneath the surface. “You know how the people fear me. If she sees what they see… she’ll start fearing me too.”

“She already fears you,” Rylan said bluntly. “You can see it in her eyes. And Kaidon… we still don’t know where she even came from. She’s lost. Disoriented. Letting her see the world around her might give her something to hold on to.”

Kaidon’s eyes darkened further, the weight of truth crashing against the walls he’d built around himself.

“I don’t care what region she’s from,” Kaidon growled, his voice sharp and final. “She’s my soulmate. She’s mine.”

“I understand, Kaidon,” Rylan said calmly. “But... look at her. Her skin, her posture, the way she moves—nervous yet sharp, always calculating. She doesn’t resemble anyone from the South. Even if she dressed like them when we found her, she doesn’t belong to any of the four regions.”

Kaidon’s eyes flicked to Rylan, shadows deepening in them.

“Our future Queen,” Rylan continued, “doesn’t look like anyone we’ve ever seen. And you know how scent works—demon blood, witch blood… they can sense a carrier’s lineage from miles away. But no one has claimed her. Isn’t that strange?”

“She hasn’t been claimed,” Kaidon said coldly, “because she’s mine. And I haven’t even marked her yet. My bloodline seal hasn’t touched her skin.”

“That’s the problem, Kaidon,” Rylan replied. “Until you do, she’s still unclaimed. Any demon could try. You know the rules—she has the right to choose.”

Kaidon stepped closer, his voice dangerously low. “What are you implying?”

Rylan didn’t flinch. He simply glanced at the high balcony again then sigh. “Make her feel something here, Kaidon. Something other than fear. Happiness... safety. That’s how you win her over. But I fear—” his gaze turned distant, troubled, “—I fear it won’t be easy.”

Kaidon narrowed his eyes, folding his arms. “Back to your witch senses again?”

“No,” Rylan said. “Not this time. Just a gut feeling. She’s not ordinary. And neither is this bond.”

He bowed slightly. “I’ll return to the investigation and update you with anything we find.”

Kaidon watched silently as Rylan disappeared down the corridor. Then slowly, he turned back to face the balcony—her balcony.

Rylan’s words echoed inside him, sinking into places he didn’t want to acknowledge.

She wasn’t just some prophecy or bond. She was more than a soulmate now. The thought of losing her—truly losing her—made something in his chest twist painfully.

It wasn’t just about bloodlines anymore.
It was the fear of watching the only thing that made his heart beat walk away from him.

His fists clenched.

And he walked away into the shadows.

♠︎♠︎♠︎

Taliya stood on the balcony of her chamber, her eyes tracing the hazy outlines of the distant town nestled beyond the dark ridges.

The wind was cold against her skin, but her heart felt colder.

Her arms hugged herself as she stared at the small world so far from her reach—so far from everything she had known.

Javen. Elara.
Were they okay? Are they doing fine?

Were they searching for her?

Then it hits her.

She didn’t even know how long she’d been here anymore.

A soft, broken sigh escaped her lips. “I miss home…” she whispered, and as the words left her mouth, tears slipped silently down her cheeks. “I don’t belong here… I’m not supposed to be some demon’s soulmate… or be part of a cursed bloodline I never agreed to.”
Her voice cracked. “I just want to go back. I miss you Jex… mom… dad… my friends. My life.”

The wind carried her sorrow into the sky, and for a moment, she let herself cry.

Unseen to her, Kaidon had entered the chamber. He stepped quietly, his boots soundless against the polished stone.

When he reached the threshold to the balcony, he stopped—watching her.

Tears.
Her shoulders were trembling.
Something deep and dark inside him... fractured.

Why is she crying?

Was it because i didn't want her out?

Without a word, he moved closer and gently brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

Taliya gasped, startled, and turned sharply—her eyes locking with his glowing red ones. “H-How did you get in?” she asked, quickly wiping her face.

Kaidon didn’t answer. He just stared at her, his brows drawn together in a way she hadn’t seen before.

“Do you really want to see the town that badly?” he asked quietly. “Is that why you’re crying?”

Taliya blinked. Her heart stung.
No.
She wanted to scream, It’s because I miss everything I once was. I don’t want to be trapped here.

But she was tired. So tired.
So instead of answering, she looked away, her gaze drifting back to the horizon as her silence said everything.

Kaidon swallowed. Then slowly, softly, he said, “Alright. I’ll take you.”

She turned to him sharply, eyes wide. “What…?”

“I’ll take you to see the town.”

A beat passed—and then joy bloomed across her face like sunlight breaking through a storm. “Really?” she gasped, and before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around him. “Yes! Thank you, Kaidon!”

I’ll find a way at the town, her heart whispered. Somehow, I’ll get away from here, find Javen and Elara, then find a way out of this place.

Kaidon stood frozen for a moment. Her warmth against him. Her arms around him.

Then slowly, his arms wrapped around her too, pulling her into a deeper embrace. His chin brushed against her soft hair, and he closed his eyes.

Little things…
Little things make her happy.

Kaidon smiled.