Bound by the Dark Prince

Evelyn could hardly focus for the rest of the day. Kael's words haunted her—some truths cannot be undone. But she had made up her mind. She needed to know what was happening to her, even if it meant facing something terrifying.

As the castle fell into silence, Evelyn waited until the hallways were empty before slipping out of her chambers. The torches flickered, casting long, eerie shadows on the stone walls as she made her way to the lower chambers.

The air grew colder the deeper she went. A strange energy pulsed in the walls, sending an unsettling shiver down her spine. When she reached the final staircase, she hesitated for only a moment before descending into the darkness.

Kael was waiting for her.

He stood near an ancient altar, the dim candlelight making his sharp features look even more dangerous. A book lay open before him, its pages filled with symbols similar to the ones she had seen earlier.

"You came," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Evelyn stepped forward, steeling herself. "I said I would."

Kael studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then let's begin."

He gestured toward the altar. "Place your hand here."

Evelyn hesitated. "What is this?"

"A conduit," Kael explained. "It will reveal what has been hidden from you."

Her heart pounded, but she stepped closer, pressing her palm against the cold stone. The moment she did, pain lanced through her skull. Visions flooded her mind—flashes of fire, screams, and a darkness so vast it felt like it could swallow the world whole.

She gasped, stumbling back. Kael caught her before she could fall.

"Breathe," he instructed.

Evelyn gritted her teeth, trying to steady herself. "What was that?"

Kael's expression was unreadable. "A glimpse of what was taken from you."

Evelyn's hands trembled. "Taken?"

Kael nodded. "Your past, your power… everything you are. It was locked away."

Her breath hitched. "Why?"

Kael's gaze darkened. "Because you are more than you know. And there are those who would rather keep you in the dark."

Evelyn clenched her fists. "Then I need to remember. I need to know."

Kael exhaled, stepping closer. "This path will change you, Evelyn. Once you take the next step, there is no turning back."

Evelyn met his eyes, unwavering. "I don't care. I need to know the truth."

A slow, almost knowing smile touched Kael's lips. "Then we begin now."

As he raised his hand, the candlelight flickered wildly, and the chamber trembled. The whispers in Evelyn's mind grew louder, calling to her. And this time, she was ready to listen.