Cursed By His Touch

pulsing with a heartbeat Auren couldn't hear but felt, deep in her bones. Torchlight

a stone slab, her body heavy, the cursed wound on her arm a black web spreading beneath her skin. Her magic flickered, weak as a dy

deeper, something that made her heart ache even as the poison pulled her under. His scar gleamed in the torchlight, a map of battles

breath hitched, pain lancing through her. The locket-real now, heavy in her pocket-seemed to pulse, its silver warm against her thi

s eyes darting to the shadows that clung to the walls. "The ritual's ready," he said, his voice gruff, but there was a crack in it, a fear he couldn't hide. "But it's old magic, my lord. Blood for bl

e stronger than she felt. She pushed herself up, ignoring the pain, her curls spilling like a rebellion over her shoulders. "You gonna chant some fancy words and hope t

striking like lightning: Kael, his hands red with blood, a woman's body at his feet, her face hers bu

aren't you telling me?" Her magic pulsed, stronger now, and she felt him-his grief, his love, a past that bound them like thorns arou

n any blade."Now's the only time," Auren snapped, her sass a spark in the darkness. She swung h

Don't lie to me."Kael's face paled, his scar stark against his skin, and the dagger trembled in his hand. "Rowa

er, catching her before she fell. His touch was fire, grounding her, and her magic surged, merging with his curse in a clash of gold and shadow. The shadows lunged, not from the walls but from th

r own.Kael shoved Auren behind him, his body a shield, but the figure vanished, the shadows retreating as the

unyielding, a truth he couldn't speak.Gavric cursed, grabbing the dagger. "We're

"This will hurt," he said, his eyes locked on hers, "but I need you to trust me."Auren's laugh was weak, bitter. "T

their cadence a dirge that shook the walls. Gavric poured a vial of blood-whose, Auren didn't ask-into the runes, and they blazed, their light blinding. Auren's

kissed, and her magic sang, but then blood, his hands on her throat, her scream silent as she fell. Rowan stood over them, his hands glowing, his voice a curse: "Y

ed, Rowan's voice fading, and the runes sealed, their glow fading to ash.Auren's eyes fluttered open, her body weak

w," Auren whispered, her voice faint but sharp. She pulled the locket from her pocket, its silver gleaming, and Kael's ey

pill the truth that bound them. But the chamber shook, a low growl rising from the earth, and Gavric's voice cut through, urgent. "The manor's not d

crimson gown, Kael's initials carved beside it.As the manor's shadows stirred, Auren met Kael's eyes, and the truth