The fire crackled softly as dawn painted the sky in strokes of gold and gray. Amber sat wrapped in her cloak, watching Nate sleep beside her. His brow furrowed even in rest, like he was caught in some battle even sleep couldn't free him from.
She traced the glowing mark on her wrist. It pulsed faintly, echoing his heartbeat through the bond. Since the fight, it felt stronger… but also heavier. Like something else had come alive within it. Something ancient. Something watching.
When Nate stirred and opened his eyes, the glow faded. But not the tension.
"Did you sleep?" he asked, voice low and rough.
"Barely," she said. "Felt like something was crawling under my skin all night."
He sat up, running a hand through his hair. "You're not imagining it. Kael's magic lingers. It always leaves a mark."
She hesitated. "What kind of mark did he leave on you?"
He froze for a second—barely, but she caught it.
"Amber…"
"I felt something when he appeared," she pressed. "In you. Anger, yes, but also… pain. Regret."
His jaw clenched. "He wasn't just my mentor. He was more than that. Once."
Her chest tightened. "You were lovers?"
He nodded slowly. "In the early years. When I was young and stupid and desperate for power. He gave me attention, purpose… twisted affection. But it came with chains I didn't see until it was almost too late."
Amber looked down. "Do you still love him?"
"I hate him more than anyone in this world. But part of me remembers the boy who clung to his every word." He looked at her then, eyes raw. "I don't want to lie to you."
She reached for him, brushing his cheek with her fingers. "Then don't."
He leaned into her touch for a moment, breathing her in like she was the only thing tethering him to the ground. "You make me feel like I'm worth saving," he whispered.
Their lips met, slow and searching—no heat at first, just the soft ache of needing to be seen, to be known. But the bond pulsed between them, and the kiss deepened fast.
Amber crawled into his lap, straddling him. Nate's hands gripped her hips, firm and trembling.
"I want you," she whispered against his mouth.
"You already have me," he groaned. "But this bond—if we go further, there's no undoing it."
"I'm not afraid," she said, undoing the clasp at her throat and letting her cloak fall. Beneath it, the thin tunic clung to her like a second skin.
His gaze darkened. "You should be."
He kissed her again—harder now, full of desperation. Their bodies tangled on the forest floor, her fingers yanking his shirt open, his lips trailing fire along her throat.
Magic surged between them. The bond throbbed, wild and electric. Trees groaned. The air shimmered with energy so thick it could almost be touched.
Then—
A cold gust of air snuffed the heat like a slap.
"You two really are insatiable," came Kael's voice, silk-laced with venom.
Amber scrambled up, grabbing her cloak. Nate was already on his feet, blade half-drawn, eyes flashing with rage.
Kael stood just outside the magical ward Nate had set, dressed in sleek black, silver hair catching the morning light. He looked like temptation incarnate.
"How did you get past the perimeter?" Nate growled.
"I didn't," Kael purred. "I never left."
Amber's blood ran cold. "You watched us all night?"
"Oh, I couldn't resist," he said, stepping closer but never breaching the ward. "The tension, the vulnerability… delicious. But I'm not here to watch. I'm here to warn her."
Nate took a step forward, magic crackling at his fingertips. "You don't get to speak to her."
Kael ignored him, eyes fixed on Amber. "Do you know who you are, little star? Do you know why your magic burns brighter than his?"
Amber straightened. "I'm not interested in your riddles."
"No riddles," he said smoothly. "Only truths. Your magic isn't born of the Circle's bloodlines. It's older. Sacred. Divine."
She frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Kael said, voice low and coaxing, "you were never meant to be a pawn. You were meant to be a queen."
Amber's chest tightened. "How do you know that?"
Kael smiled. "Because I've seen it. Once, long ago, I stood beside another like you. She burned bright—and they hunted her down for it. Just like they'll hunt you."
"She's not alone," Nate said, stepping between them. "And she's not yours to corrupt."
Kael's gaze turned sharp. "Corrupt? Oh, Nate. Is that what you think I did to you?"
"You twisted me," Nate hissed. "Taught me to love pain, to crave chaos. You made me believe love was control."
Kael's smile faded, something colder sliding into place. "And now you believe love is purity? Redemption?" His eyes cut to Amber. "Careful, little flame. He's a liar, even when he means well."
"Stop," Amber snapped, stepping forward. "You don't get to speak for him. Or for me."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Soon, you'll question everything. Especially him."
He lifted his hand and flicked his fingers.
A pulse of dark magic rippled through the trees—subtle, but invasive. Amber gasped, feeling it slip under her skin like ice.
"What did you do?" Nate shouted.
Kael winked. "A taste. Just to remind her—power always comes with a price."
And then he vanished into mist.
Amber stood trembling. Nate rushed to her side, grabbing her shoulders. "Are you alright?"
"I think so," she whispered, even though her skin still crawled. "But he's right about one thing."
Nate stiffened. "What?"
"I need to know the whole truth. About what I am. About why the Circle fears me."
Nate swallowed hard. "There's a place. A city hidden from the Order. A sanctuary for those like us."
Amber looked up at him. "Then take me there."
His hand found hers, squeezing tight. "I'll take you anywhere. Just don't stop choosing me."
She leaned into him, lips brushing his. "I'm not going anywhere."
Still, as they packed and began their journey through the thick forest, Amber felt something inside her shifting. Kael's magic hadn't just touched her body—it had reached her thoughts.
And somewhere deep in her, part of her wanted to understand the darkness.