The training chamber had barely settled from yesterday's battle when a deafening roar shook the Shadow Court. Avalora stumbled, heart hammering. Shadows twisted unnaturally in the hallways, darker than before, moving with purpose.
Rion's expression hardened. "They're testing you," he said, voice sharp. "Not just the magic in your mark, but your will. If you fail...they will take you from me."
Avalora's stomach dropped. "From you? What does that even mean?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her hand, his silver eyes burning into hers. "Then focus. Trust yourself. Trust me."
The shadows surged into the chamber, coalescing into massive beasts with glowing eyes and jagged claws. Avalora froze, terror threatening to paralyze her.
"Move!" Rion commanded. He stepped forward, dark energy radiating from him, shadows curling around his boots. "Use your mark! Channel it!"
Her wrist flared golden as if reacting to his presence, heat crawling up her arm and spreading through her chest. Avalora took a deep breath, drawing the power from the mark. Sparks of light shot from her hand, striking the nearest shadow.
The creatures hissed and recoiled, but more advanced forms lunged at her. Fear surged-but beneath it, excitement, and something darker, deeper.
Rion moved closer, guiding her movements. Their hands brushed repeatedly as they struck, blocked, and repelled the creatures together. Avalora's chest burned, not just from exertion, but from the heat between them. Every glance from him, every touch, made her pulse spike.
"You're stronger than they anticipated," Rion murmured, voice rough. "And...stronger than I expected."
Avalora's breath hitched. "Stronger than...you?"
He stepped closer, shadows curling protectively around them. "Stronger in ways you don't understand. And dangerously...connected to me."
The last shadow fell, dissolving into smoke, and Avalora sank to her knees, shaking with adrenaline. Rion knelt beside her, hand hovering over hers-not quite touching, but close enough to make her heart leap.
"You see?" he said softly, silver eyes piercing. "You're not just powerful. You're mine. And no one else can protect you the way I can."
Avalora's chest tightened. She wanted to deny it. Wanted to step back. But the pull was magnetic, intoxicating, impossible.
"I..." she whispered, voice trembling.
He leaned closer, his lips inches from hers. The storm outside seemed to echo the tension inside the chamber. "You don't have to say anything," he murmured. "Just...feel it. You can't fight it."
Her mark glowed brighter, as if affirming his words. Avalora's head spun. Desire. Fear. Power. All crashing together into a single, undeniable truth: she couldn't resist him.
Not now. Not ever.
And somewhere deep in the shadows of the Court, unseen eyes watched-and the prophecy whispered: the Half-Blood is awakening...
