**Seraphina's POV**
"Anyone who performs the ritual becomes the next wielder of the destructive power. The magic consumes them, often before their time."
Kael's words echoed in my mind. I couldn't believe them. I shouldn't believe them... but deep down, I knew he was speaking the truth. And only my death could atone for the destruction I was destined to cause.
"We'll figure this out," Kael murmured, his voice uncertain. Regret shadowed his features.
"How?... How are you going to save us—me, and your kingdom?" My voice trembled, a sense of hopelessness rising within me. But he didn't answer.
"Say something, Kael!" I cried out, hitting him hard as tears spilled from my eyes. I grabbed at his clothes, pulling him closer.
He pulled me into a tight embrace, but the usual comfort didn't come. It was as though something had shifted between us, and the space I’d felt for so long only widened. "Somehow... I’ll figure this out," he whispered again, though his words lacked conviction.
I tilted my face up just enough to meet his eyes.
"Or would you kill me, before I become more destructive?"
The words struck him like a sledgehammer, and his face twisted with fear.
"No... I would never do that," he said, his voice low but firm. "You didn't cause this... I did," he admitted, regret and guilt weighing heavily on him. "I should have found a safer way."
"It's not your fault, Kael. I know you did it to save me," I said, my voice soft, dismissing his blame.
"I'm sorry, Sera. I have disappointed you," he said, a tear sliding down his cheek.
I nodded, the lump in my throat growing. "Maybe you should just kill me instead."
His expression hardened. "Don't say that," he said, his voice now resolute. "I won’t lose you."
"I don't want to disrupt your kingdom. Wouldn’t it be better if I just—"
Before I could finish, his lips pressed softly against mine, silencing my words. The kiss deepened, passion flaring between us.
"Get a room," someone hissed from the passing crowd.
The voice broke through the haze of emotion, and we both pulled apart, flustered. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment, and Kael scoffed softly, though a faint smile tugged at his lips.
The silence that followed felt awkward, but Kael broke it. "Let me get you home," he said, helping me to my feet.
We rode in silence, the weight of unspoken words lingering between us.
"Thanks for the ride," I muttered once we reached my apartment.
He nodded, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Without a word, I stepped out of the car, but before I could enter, I glanced back. His gaze was fixed on me, lingering, and he waved.
On impulse, I walked back to him, stopping just in front of him. "Would you like to come inside for a drink?" I asked, my voice quieter now.
His expression was unreadable, but after a beat, he nodded. Together, we entered my apartment. I went to the kitchen to fetch a glass,returning swiftly and immediately poured him a drink, offering it to him with a shaky hand.
"Thanks," he muttered, taking the glass and sipping it slowly. I sat beside him, the tension palpable between us.
The silence stretched on, unbearable, until I finally spoke. "Kael," I began, my voice barely a whisper. He turned to me, his gaze locked on mine. "I don’t want to see you again," I said softly. "We should separate. It’s the only way to conquer our cruel destiny."
His eyes never left me. "I’ll never leave, no matter what. No matter how much you push me away, I’ll stay until I’m sure you’re safe."
"Why do you care whether I’m safe or not?" I asked, my voice trembling with the weight of my confusion. "No one has ever cared about me... like you do. And I’m not sure how to accept this."
"You don’t have to accept this, Sera," he whispered, his voice tender. "You know you need me. Just use me—for your revenge, for whatever you need. I’m here for you," he added, his deep blue eyes searing into my soul.
In an instant, I closed the gap between us, pressing my lips to his in a desperate, fervent kiss. The kiss deepened, consuming us both as I grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer.
His hands roamed around my body, then settled on my ass, giving it a gentle squeeze. Our moans filled the room as I trailed my hands down his chiseled chest, lost in the moment.
For a brief instant, I forgot the weight of the death sentence hanging over me. Instead, a rush of something purer, something happier, replaced the pain.
I wanted him. I knew it, even though it wasn’t the right time. Even though, just yesterday, he still belonged to another woman. Even though he might never truly be mine, I wasn’t about to let this moment slip away.
Minutes passed, and we found ourselves moving toward the bed, clothes discarded along the way, our lips still locked. We stood naked in front of each other. His gaze roamed over my body, his desire flickering in his eyes.
He leaned down and took my nipple into his mouth, biting gently before his fingers slid down between my legs, already slick with anticipation.
Then he thrust into me. Our moans echoed through the room as he moved slowly, teasingly, before becoming faster, harder. I groaned in a mixture of pain and pleasure as he thrust deeper into me.
"You're so tight," he moaned, his voice husky. "Is this your first time?".
"Yes," I gasped, my words broken by the pleasure. His movements grew more frantic, our bodies moving in perfect harmony, the tension building until we both reached our climax.
We collapsed side by side, our breaths mingling in the heavy silence. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close, his touch speaking volumes. I smiled, feeling the weight of his unspoken words in the way he held me.
"Sera," he whispered softly. "I promise I’ll always be there for you." His words were laced with something deeper, something more.
"We'll fight this," he added, as though he meant it with every fiber of his being.
Unsure of how to respond, I simply nodded, my mind a whirl of thoughts. Was this love? Or was it just a fleeting escape from the pain? I couldn’t quite tell. But I knew one thing: this had changed everything.
But how? And what now?