The castle felt colder after Caleb's visit.
Kael sat alone in his study, the firelight casting shadows across his face. His mind was a storm. Caleb's words echoed over and over.
"I know the truth about your curse."
He gritted his teeth. For 500 years, he had searched for answers. And now Caleb—his enemy—claimed to have them?
Kael wouldn't wait. He would tear apart the world to uncover the truth himself.
A knock at the door.
Before he could answer, Aria slipped inside.
She had changed from the bloodstained clothes of battle, but she still looked shaken.
"Kael," she said softly. "I know you're thinking about what he said."
Kael didn't reply. He just watched her—the girl who had walked into his life and turned everything upside down.
She hesitated before stepping closer. "You want to know the truth about your curse."
His eyes flickered to her, sharp as steel. "And you don't?"
She clenched her fists. "Of course I do."
Kael stood abruptly, pacing. "Then why do I feel like you're hiding something from me?"
Aria's breath hitched.
For a moment, she looked like she might deny it. Then, she turned away.
"I don't know what you mean."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Don't lie to me, Aria."
Silence stretched between them. Heavy. Suffocating.
Finally, Aria whispered, "You're not the only one with secrets, Kael."
His body went still.
Aria clenched her jaw. There were things she couldn't tell him. Things she couldn't tell anyone.
Because if Kael knew…
He might never trust her again.
Kael's gaze burned into Aria, but she refused to meet his eyes.
"Aria." His voice was low, edged with something dangerous. "Tell me what you're hiding."
She forced a breath, steadying herself. "It's nothing that concerns you."
Kael's fists clenched. "Everything about you concerns me."
Aria shook her head. "Not this."
Tension crackled between them like a live wire.
Kael took a slow step forward. "I've told you what I am. What I've done. Why I can't have a mate. And yet, you—" His voice dropped to a near-growl. "You won't trust me?"
Aria's chest tightened.
It wasn't about trust.
It was about survival.
If he knew the truth… if he knew what she had done…
He might never look at her the same way again.
Kael exhaled sharply. "Fine. Keep your secrets." His silver eyes darkened. "But I will find out the truth."
Aria's pulse pounded, but she held her ground.
Let him try.
She had spent her whole life burying her past. And she wasn't about to dig it up now.