There was a palpable emptiness that filled every corner of the castle, and the fairies, once lighthearted as they wandered the halls, now hurried through their tasks, avoiding any eye contact with their princess. Elysiel watched everything from her father's throne, that he had left unoccupied since his illness. She tried to maintain a strong demeanor, but the sense of isolation weighed heavier on her each day. The burden of her decision to ally with Seraphis was beginning to seep into every part of the kingdom.
The shadows in the castle had a tangible presence. Even when the sun appeared, its light seemed unable to fully penetrate Elandor's walls. Growing darkness loomed, as if the very nature of the kingdom was retreating from the light. Elysiel felt Seraphis's power coursing through her, a connection that made her feel invincible at times, but overwhelmingly lonely at others. She was still a princess, but she was losing her people.
As she walked through the corridors, Elysiel noticed the discreet glances from the fairies, their hushed whispers as she passed. Fear shone in their eyes. Once, they had seen her as the savior—the one who had brought the cure for the plague that threatened Elandor. But now, fear of the darkness emanating from her pact with Seraphis was replacing their gratitude. Even her closest advisors, like Lirian and Lynore, were growing more distant.
Elysiel sighed as she paused by a window, gazing out at the landscape. The trees, once green and vibrant, looked pale, as if life itself was slowly draining from them. She tried to push aside the thought that this was a consequence of her choice, but the doubt lingered.
The dining hall was empty when she entered, except for Seraphis, who waited for her with a piercing gaze. He sat reclined in a chair, holding a glass of wine, his enigmatic smile both alluring and unsettling.
— You seem thoughtful, my queen. — he said, his voice low but intense.
Elysiel hesitated before sitting at the table, trying to maintain the composure she had always shown, but the emptiness around her felt even more pronounced in Seraphis's presence.
— It's the kingdom. — she finally replied, her voice more fragile than she expected. — They avoid me, Seraphis. They fear what I've become, what we've become.
Seraphis studied her closely, his red eyes gleaming in the soft light of the room.
— They fear what they cannot control, I already told you that. — he responded, his tone seductive. — The power you carry frightens them, but that is the burden of true leadership. The weak hide in the shadows, while you dominate them. They cannot comprehend that.
Elysiel knew there was truth in Seraphis's words. She knew that power came with sacrifices, but the isolation, the growing distance from her people, was becoming heavier than she had anticipated. Once, she had ruled with the love of Elandor at her side, but now, the only thing sustaining her seemed to be Seraphis's dark power.
— And you, Seraphis? — she asked, looking at him with growing curiosity. — Don't you fear losing control? Sometimes, all of this feels… bigger than us.
Seraphis leaned forward, setting his glass down gently on the table. He touched Elysiel's hand, his fingers cold yet somehow comforting.
— I fear nothing, Elysiel. — he replied with an enigmatic smile. — Power is a living thing, and we shape it to our will. You must accept it fully, without hesitation, or it will consume you. But don't worry. As long as we are together, you will never lose control.
A chill ran through Elysiel's body at Seraphis's touch. There was something in his words that reassured her, but at the same time, it made her even more aware of how much she depended on him. The bond between them was deep, deeper than she cared to admit. And with each passing day, she felt more isolated from everyone—except him.
— You are all I have left now. — she whispered, looking at him with a mixture of vulnerability and desire.
Seraphis smiled, clearly satisfied with what he heard. He stood slowly, walking over to her. His presence felt like an enveloping shadow, and Elysiel felt herself being drawn into him, a mix of power and intimacy that made her skin tingle.
— I am all you need. — he murmured, leaning in until his lips were near her neck. — And together, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
Elysiel closed her eyes, feeling the cold yet electrifying touch of Seraphis. The loneliness that had once weighed on her chest now seemed to be replaced by something more intense—a deep, inescapable connection with him. The outside world, her kingdom, her responsibilities, all seemed to fade as Seraphis surrounded her.
He pulled her closer, their bodies now so near that she could feel the power pulsing between them. The desire, once just a spark, now burned intensely within her. Seraphis was all that remained, all that sustained her, and the idea of surrendering fully to him felt irresistible.
— Do you feel it, Elysiel?— he whispered against her skin. — The power, the connection. There's no turning back now.
Elysiel slowly opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. The fear and doubt she had felt moments before were now consumed by a dark desire to lose herself in that power. She knew this choice would distance her even more from her people, but beside Seraphis, the loneliness seemed to disappear.
He lifted her in his arms with surprising ease, carrying her to her chambers without protest. When they reached the bedroom, the silence between them wasn't uncomfortable; it was filled with promises, with something about to be fulfilled. He laid her gently on the bed, his eyes never leaving hers, as if he were waiting for her permission to proceed.
Elysiel didn't hesitate.
Seraphis's lips finally met hers, and the kiss was charged with an intensity she had never felt before. It wasn't just physical; it was a fusion of souls, a union of darkness and desire. Every touch, every movement pulled her deeper into the world he had created for them.
At that moment, as their clothes fell to the floor and their bodies intertwined, Elysiel felt the true power of Seraphis. It wasn't just the strength of the shadows or his control over the underworld. It was something deeper, a darkness that flowed from him into her, connecting them in a way that felt eternal.
As the night went on, Elysiel realized she was surrendering completely. There were no more doubts, no more fear. She was with Seraphis, and nothing else mattered. The loneliness that had tormented her now seemed like a distant dream.
When it was over, Elysiel laid beside Seraphis, her body still warm and trembling with the emotions surging through her veins. But something inside her had shifted. She felt more connected to Seraphis, more dependent on him. And at the same time, a new awareness began to awaken—something she couldn't yet name.
Seraphis rose from the bed, walking toward the window, where the shadows seemed to respond to his command. He looked back at Elysiel, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
— You're beginning to understand what it truly means to share this power, Elysiel. — he said, his voice filled with a dark mystery. — But there is still much more to discover. The true nature of the darkness… is only beginning to reveal itself to you.
Elysiel watched Seraphis with a mixture of fascination and fear. The power she felt now was more alive than ever, but also more dangerous. She knew she was sinking deeper into the darkness, but beside Seraphis, it no longer felt like a burden. It felt like destiny.