Crimson Vows.

Selene hadn't slept. She'd spent the night tossing in her massive bed, drowning in emotions she couldn't even name—guilt, confusion, longing, rage; and somewhere under all that… fear. Fear of what she'd become; fear of what Kaelen was becoming to her.

She sat now by the frosted window of her room, the first rays of sunlight slicing through the gothic curtains, casting crimson shadows across the floor. Her fingers toyed with the edge of her sleeve, covering and uncovering the mark that still glowed faintly on her wrist. It burned badly last night after Kaelen left, not just the pain from the burn...her heart ached, she felt strong waves of bitterness and rage like she'd never felt before.

She couldn't stop thinking that was how Kaelen was feeling at that time, after all the mark connected them.

She got up and tried to calm down; but she could see him in the mirror, feel him in the deep thrum of her blood that wouldn't quiet. Her chest tightened with the memory of his voice, the way he'd looked at her when he said, "Then I won't wait around to become something you hate."

She hated that it haunted her. Why did she care? Why couldn't she stop thinking about him? She tried to convince herself it was the bond, just the magic playing tricks on her heart. But deep down, even that excuse rang hollow.

A soft knock sounded on the door; Mara entered quietly, a few maids shortly after her. "The council's summoned you," she said softly. "And him."

Selene simply nodded and got up to take her bath so that they could help her get dressed, she tried to hide her worried face from Mara because she'd worry but she knew it wasn't working.

She got empathetic knowing glances from her literally every time their eyes met.

They were done preparing her for the meeting in no time, and they proceeded to the great chambers.

...

The atmosphere was tense in the great chambers. Selene entered from the right wing; Kaelen from the left.

When she saw him, her breath caught. He looked pale...paler than usual. Like something inside him had frayed.

His jaw clenched at the sight of her, but his eyes… they softened, even if only for a moment.

Her own heart lurched. His presence pulled at her like negative poles of a magnet...too tightly. His parents sat beside hers and the council members were all present; the air hummed an unpleasant aura.

Queen Elira was the first to speak. "You refused the mark." She said without a smile. The words landed like a whip. Selene didn't flinch, but her knuckles whitened as her hands clenched at her sides.

"And yet the bond took hold," added one elder. "In ways we've never seen."

"The glow hasn't faded," another muttered. "They're still burning with it."

Kaelen said nothing. But Selene could see the effort it took to remain still. His hands trembled. His fingers twitched. King Dareth stood. "Until the binding is completed, the connection remains volatile. Dangerous. The prince is already showing signs." Selene's eyes darted to Kaelen. Sweat beaded at his temple. His chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths.

Queen Elira narrowed her eyes. "From this day, you two will remain together. You will eat together, train together, move through this castle as one. Until the mate mark is complete, your lives are no longer separate." Selene's stomach dropped. Kaelen stiffened, then nodded slowly. Like a prisoner accepting a sentence. The queen's tone chilled. "It is for your safety. And everyone else's."

...

Later that day, they walked together in silence, escorted by two guards who kept a respectful distance. Selene's mind whirled; she'd wanted answers; she'd wanted space. But now she had only him and whatever brewed between them.

Each step echoed loudly in the hall, like the castle itself was listening...watching. They entered the royal training hall, it was empty but for the two of them.

Kaelen finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "I didn't want it to be like this."

She turned to him. "Then why did you agree?"

"I had no choice." He laughed bitterly. "None of us do."

She stepped closer, searching his face. The dark circles under his eyes. The weary slant of his shoulders. "You're breaking," she said quietly.

"I'm holding on," he muttered. "Barely. But every second I'm near you and not… completing this… it tears me apart." He stepped closer, slowly. Selene didn't move away. "I was losing control that night," he said. "You saw it. You felt it."

"I did," she admitted. "And I hated how much I cared."

"I didn't want you to see me like that; weak, monstrous."he said, his throat clenched.

She shook her head. "You weren't monstrous. You were… human, in pain."

He stopped inches away from her, eyes boring into hers. "Do you still?..."

Selene's breath hitched. "I don't know," she whispered. "But you terrify me. And your eyes feel like they see things I don't want to admit."

"I see you," he said. "All of you. Even the parts you keep buried." His hand brushed her cheek, slow and reverent.

"Kaelen…" she warned, but her voice trembled.

Kaelen leaned in, she didn't stop him...she couldn't . Her body had forsaken her. Their lips were almost touching—barely a whisper between them. The tension vibrated in the air, their breaths tangled.

Her hand slid up to his chest, feeling the furious beat of his heart.

Kaelen's eyes flashed crimson for a heartbeat, the monster clawing under the surface. His breathing deepened, jaw tightening as if suppressing an urge that had claws of its own. His voice was almost a growl. "You make it harder to fight this. And by the gods, I don't want to fight it."

Selene's lips parted, her pulse roaring. "Then don't."

Kaelen's forehead pressed against hers, his chest rising and falling too quickly now. "If I lose control, Selene, I won't be able to stop. And you deserve a choice."

"You're giving me one now." she said, as she wrapped her hand around his neck.

His hand slid to her waist, fingers trembling. Her lips brushed his—barely.

Then... the door slammed open. "Selene?!"

It was Ronan. His voice was sharp and accusing.

Selene and Kaelen jerked apart like burned wires. Ronan stood there, chest heaving, eyes wild as they flicked between the two of them.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Kaelen's eyes narrowed. Selene took a shaky step back, guilt written all over her. She had totally forgotten about him in such little time; there was just always so much in her head since she got here.

Her skin still tingled where Kaelen had touched her, the bond mark on their hands glowed brightly... pissing Ronan off even more.