Emory paced in front of Rahl, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. She noticed the way he had settled back on his throne, watching her intently. The royal outfit he wore illuminated him, the blue highlights accentuating the brilliance of his eyes. The golden crown atop his head seemed almost crafted for him, fitting perfectly with his regal bearing. For a moment, she felt herself getting lost in his magnificence, the allure of his presence almost overwhelming.

She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. The crimson wing’s demand echoed in her mind. Asking her to kill Rahl had to be a test—a cruel, impossible test. Were they truly unaware that her killing him would break the curse, or was it a deliberate ploy to test her loyalty to Kane and the utopia they aimed to create?

Could she even tell Kane about this? The secrecy of the crimson wing suggested otherwise. Dairdat and the elders hadn’t mentioned it to Kane, which meant she had to figure this out alone.

Rahl’s voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. “So, what is it you figured out?” he asked.

She took a deep breath, her headache now a dull throb. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to calm herself. “Seraphine’s magic was tied to the prophecy of the last hunter, to the idea that we were meant to be together. But if my heart isn’t fully yours” if my heart is divided between you and my mate, maybe the bond can’t hold.”

Rahl was silent for a moment, then he adjusted on his throne, his gaze never leaving hers. “You think” you think loving Kane could weaken the curse?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense,” she whispered. “If the bond holds only as long as the heart remains true, then my feelings for Kane might be the key to breaking it.”

Rahl leaned forward. “I doubt you realize what you’re saying, so I’ll ask. Are you saying you love the dragon lord” and me?”

Her brows hiked at his question. Did she say that? The realization made her feel uneasy. Did she love them both? Her mind raced trying to figure out what was going on. She cared deeply for Kane, felt an undeniable bond with him, enough to not question how she felt about him. But Rahl” he had a place in her heart too, and she wasn’t so sure it was forced upon her by Seraphine’s magic. It felt inexplicably real. Maybe Sabine was right; somehow, she had ended up with two mates, and she didn’t know how to feel or what to do.

She met Rahl’s gaze, searching for the right words. “I” I care for you, Rahl. But things are so complicated, and I don’t know what to feel. But I know that my feelings for Kane are strong. If this bond is based on the heart’s truth, then maybe my divided heart can break it.”

“I’m willing to give it a try if it’ll get the Crimson Wing off your back. I trust your judgment,” he said, then he just stared at her. “You’re not obligated to have feelings for me.”

“Does this feel like an obligation?” she retorted sharply, a bit miffed by his remark.

“It does. You think you’re responsible for bringing peace to Morrian as my mate, and letting go would mean failing your destiny. A destiny that has cost so many lives to protect you, the last hunter. I know the demands and markings of duty, Emory. I fear this is all it is.” He shrugged. “We are not mates, and you owe me nothing. You barely know me enough to” care for me.”

“Are you trying to push me away to make the thought of my driving a knife through your chest hurt less, or is that how you really feel?” She walked up to him, eyes squinting wickedly at him.

Rahl’s jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with frustration. “I’m trying to be realistic. I’ve been prepared for my end since Aworyn bound my Lycan. It’s a wonder how I’ve managed to live it out this long. I don’t want you to bear the burden of my fate.”

Emory stepped closer, her heart pounding. “I don’t want to lose you, Rahl. I can’t explain it, but you’re important to me.”

His gaze softened, and he reached out to take her hands, pulling her to sit on his lap. The familiarity of the gesture struck her—Kane had done the exact same thing before. It was disconcerting how similar they acted towards her, yet it made sense, given their shared role in her life. Emory closed her eyes, leaning into his touch as he caressed her face. Her mind was bursting with conflicting desires, but one thing was clear—she couldn’t lose either of them. Not like this.

“Don’t let guilt or obligation drive you. Let it be your choice, your heart,” he said. “Hard as it may be to believe, even I do not want to lose you, and I don’t understand how I feel about you.”

“Will you tell me about Lilith?” she asked, a question that had been burning in her mind.

Rahl’s eyes darkened, a storm brewing in their depths. “Lilith was” extraordinary,” he began, his voice laced with a lingering pain. “She was strong, fierce, and utterly fearless. I was stunned when we found each other because I expected the prophecy to tie me to you. I met Lilith at a ceremony. Her father was one of the ministers on the council. The mate bond, it’s” glorious” she was glorious. But we weren’t meant to be, and my mother thought she was too fearless, untameable. Without my Lycan, I could never sense her or claim her as expected.”

The low light in the room cast a soft glow on Rahl’s face, highlighting the strength and sorrow in his eyes. Emory felt a pang of sympathy for him.

With a gentle, understanding touch, she weaved her fingers into his. “I’m sorry, Rahl. I didn’t mean to stir up any old wounds,” she said softly.

He gave a wistful shrug, a shadow of disappointment crossing his features. “It’s not so much painful as it is disheartening. I learned the hard way that some things are beyond my control.” Pausing, he turned his gaze back to her. “But that’s all in the past now. You’re here, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Their eyes held, and as Rahl slowly pulled her closer, the moment stretched into infinity.

As their lips met, Emory’s senses heightened. She was acutely aware of the fiery warmth of Rahl’s lips against hers, the gentle but assertive way his hand cradled her throat, a gesture of possession with an undercurrent of care and protection.

His other hand found its way to her back, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. Emory’s fingers traced the contours of his chest, feeling the solid strength beneath his beaded robe. She wished she could curl her fingers in his hair without messing up his hair and crown.

Their breaths mingled, hearts pounding in unison. Everything around them faded into insignificance; there was only the two of them.

Finally, as they parted, both were breathless. Rahl’s gaze was intense, his thumb gently stroking her throat where his hand still lingered. Emory ogled at him, a myriad of feelings swirling in the depths of her eyes.

For a long moment, they sat there, savouring the aftershocks of their kiss, reluctant to break the magic.

“Didn’t feel like obligation that time,” he said, and she chuckled as she slipped off his lap. “Don’t go.”

“I have to,” she replied. She needed to get away from him and not give into the intrusive thoughts of going beyond a kiss. Emory licked her lips, brushing her hair from her face as she turned away from him.

“That dress is beautiful, and your eyes match it,” he said, gesturing to her outfit as if he hadn’t seen it before. “It’s impossible to get over the way your eyes sparkle. They stoke my soul every time you look at me. Like two shimmering pools of starlight, igniting fires that threaten to consume me every time.”

Her heart fluttered, and warmth spread through her chest. His gaze was almost reverent, as if he were seeing her for the first time. She smiled, a mixture of embarrassment and joy bubbling up inside her. Clearly, he had no idea how much more stunning his eyes were than hers, or maybe he was just trying to keep her from leaving.

The way he looked at her made her feel like the most beautiful person in the world. The raw emotion in his tone and eyes that made her pulse quicken.

“Thank you.” Her voice was soft, almost shy, the usual confidence replaced by a vulnerable, open-hearted response to his compliment.

When he saw the doorway appear beside her, he sighed. “Be safe, Emory.”

She nodded, giving him one last lingering look. Her heart twisted with the conflicting emotions inside her. As she stepped through the doorway, she hoped it would take her to the elders so they could proceed with undoing the bond between her and Rahl, putting Kane at ease. But a part of her hesitated—did she really want to break the bond? There was something there, and the thought of losing it made her pensive.
The familiar scent of the throne room greeted her as she stepped through the doorway. The majestic beauty of the hall still took her breath away. Her eyes scanned the room, noting the pause in the discussions between the wolf council, and the elder dragons. The intimidating presence of the crimson wing made her tense just a bit.

She spotted Rodyn among the Thetas and Alphas seated around Trey, and he politely turned his gaze from her in a way that hurt. Her gaze flickered to Kane, who sat on the throne beside her. His eyes softened as he saw her, a smile spreading across his lips. The simple gesture made her heart flutter.

“Eilir,” his voice boomed, vibrating through the hall. He gestured to the throne beside his with a welcoming smile. She wanted Kane, and the certainty of that realization gave her a bit of clarity.

Taking her place beside him, she got the sense that she knew where her heart belonged. It was why he was her mate after all.

“Emory,” Trey greeted, then turned to address the elder dragons.

“When we congregate in the halls of his imperial highness, you must address the imperial consort by her proper title, Alpha Chav’re,” one of the elders corrected her brother, and her eyes darted to Dairdat, wondering why he wasn’t the one speaking now.

Trey looked at her, and she gave him a small smile. “Imperial Consort,” he said to her with a slight tilt of his head. “We were discussing the terms of the unification ceremony and the relocation of the seat of power to Qaelasyn.” Emory nodded and her brother continued. “It’s important that we move forward with unity and a clear vision. The future of the wolves and the empire depends on it. The wolf council supports this move, but we need assurances that all species will be represented fairly, even the Lycans.”

“It is odd that you advocate for a species bent on wiping your kind out,” Dairdat said now. “Any particular reason, or are the wolves just that kind?”

“No need to start fires, Dairdat.” Kane leaned forward. “You have my word, Ultima. The new era we are ushering in will be one of equality and mutual respect. We stand together or not at all. Besides, we have no use inciting a war with any species” it would be a no-brainer.”

As the meeting proceeded, Emory experienced an out-of-body sensation. She was present but not fully engaged, and it wasn’t because she wasn’t interested in this. Kane had gone out of his way to make good with the Lycans and now with the wolves, and she was curious about when they would finally be joined as mates under dragon customs. Yet as the deliberation continued, escalated, and wound down, she couldn’t bring herself to focus on it.

Her thoughts drifted, pulled by nothing in particular. The throne room, with its towering pillars and carvings, felt distant, almost dreamlike. The voices of the councillors ebbed and flowed around her, a background murmur to the void in her mind.

She glanced at Kane, his strong profile exuding a seductive authority that made her crave his hands all over her. As he looked over at her, she quickly turned her gaze away.

“Eilir?” Kane’s voice cut through her reverie, pulling her back to the present. She looked up, meeting his gaze.

“Yes?” she responded.

“We’re about to adjourn. Are you ready to proceed?” he asked, and she noticed the concern in his eyes.

She nodded, straightening her posture. “Yes, I’m ready.”

The meeting concluded, and Emory stood along with her mate. As the councils bowed to them, she wondered when she could meet with the Crimson Wing again. They exited the throne room, Kane’s hand gently touching her back as he led her out through a side door. As they walked down the grand corridor, their footsteps echoed.

“I thought I’d take you around the tower,” Kane said. “I don’t suppose you’ve had any time to just be, and it looks to be affecting you.”

Emory gave a small, appreciative smile. “It’s been” overwhelming.”

“It’s time you had a moment to breathe.”

They continued down the corridor and her fingers brushed against the cool stone, feeling the centuries of stories embedded in its surface. He led her to a secluded balcony overlooking the sprawling landscape of Qaelasyn. The view was breathtaking—the rolling hills, the dense forests, and the distant mountains all bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Emory felt a wave of peace wash over her as she took in the scene.

“This is one of my favourite spots,” he told her.

She leaned against the railing, closing her eyes and letting the cool breeze brush against her face. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, as calmness settled within her.

Kane’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her gently against him. “You’re beautiful,” he said in a low, tender voice.

She opened her eyes, turning to look at him before reaching up to place a hand on his cheek. “Thank you.”

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Always, Eilir.”

For the first time in days, she allowed herself to relax. She let the peace of the moment fill her, knowing that whatever the future held, they would face it together. And that was enough.