The Shadow King's Alpha : The Cursed Bond

[Imperial Palace — Private Corridor — Later]

The heavy doors of the training ground closed behind them; the thunder of steel slowly faded into the distance.

CLANG...

CLANG...

CLANG...

Kael walked behind Lytharion in silence. Lucein and Cedric remained several steps behind, careful not to interrupt whatever conversation was about to take place.

Lytharion’s expression had returned to its usual calm, cold, and unreadable. His hands rested lazily behind his back as he walked through the long marble corridor.

Kael watched him once and then again. There was something about the way Lytharion had reacted and continued to trouble him.

Kael followed, and the corridor became quieter; the marble walls gave way to ancient stone.

Golden lamps burned within bronze holders, their flames flickering against walls engraved with ancient symbols of kings, gods, wolves, and celestial beasts. At the end stood enormous bronze doors; two imperial guards immediately bowed.

"Greetings to His Majesty and the Lord of Darkness."

Lytharion and Kael walked past them without even looking.

***

[Later — The Imperial Wine Cellar]

The moment they entered...the scent of wine surrounded them. Thousands of clay amphorae and enormous carved jars filled the chamber from floor to ceiling.

Some were sealed with wax; others bore the crests of ancient imperial dynasties. The oldest vessels were decorated with Qashmar-style carvings of crescent moons, wolves, and crowned deities.

Torches burned along the walls; their flames danced across the dark stone. Lytharion slowly looked around; his golden eyes moved from one enormous wine jar to another.

Then he gave a quiet scoff as he walked deeper into the cellar.

"The Imperial Palace provides everything for its Emperor. Food, gold, servants, and wine..." His gaze lingered upon the endless rows of amphorae. "...Enough wine to drown an entire kingdom."

A faint smile touched his lips.

"As though the palace itself is determined to corrupt whoever sits upon its throne."

Kael didn’t answer; he simply watched him. Lytharion stopped beside a table; he reached for a crystal goblet, then selected one of the ancient wine vessels. With practiced ease, he poured the dark red liquid into the goblet.

He lifted it toward his nose, inhaled, and took a slow sip. "Hm, old and delicious."

Kael remained standing. Lytharion glanced toward him. "Do you want some, my Queen?"

Kael shook his head. "I do not drink."

Lytharion shrugged. "Your loss."

He walked toward a low, cushioned diwan positioned beneath an enormous stone relief of an ancient god. He sat down lazily, one arm rested against the cushion, his legs stretched comfortably before him as he lifted the goblet again.

Then looked at Kael. "Come."

Kael hesitated. Lytharion raised an eyebrow. "Or must I summon you as my emperor?"

Kael sighed and approached. Lytharion extended the empty goblet toward him. "Pour."

Kael blinked. "...You want me to?"

"Yes."

Kael took the wine vessel he carefully poured. Lytharion watched him silently as the wine filled the goblet. Lytharion took it from his hands, and he drank, slowly and completely.

Then extended it again. Kael stared at him. Lytharion’s expression remained perfectly calm. "Again."

Kael poured another cup. This time...he sat beside him. As Lytharion drank, the silence between them stretched. Finally, the deity lowered the goblet.

"Speak."

Kael looked at him.

"You dragged me to talk with me in private; exactly what does my queen require?" Lytharion leaned back against the cushions. "You have been staring at me since we left the training ground. So...tell me what my queen wishes to ask."

Kael swallowed. "There is something happening in the Empire."

Lytharion took another sip. "And what does that have to do with me, my queen?"

Kael gulped as he continued saying, "Grimfangs."

The goblet stopped halfway to Lytharion’s lips. For a heartbeat...nothing moved. Then he slowly lowered it, and Kael continued.

"The Grimfang beasts have awakened."

Lytharion’s eyes remained fixed upon him. "How long?"

"Nearly three months."

"And?"

Kael’s fingers tightened around his own cup. "We received reports that someone has been deliberately provoking them."

Lytharion’s expression became colder. "Who?"

"Humans."

Silence.

Kael continued. "They have been leaving blood near their territories. Moving through their nesting grounds and driving them toward the northern Wolf territories."

Lytharion stared into his wine. "And you believe humans are responsible."

"We have evidence."

Lytharion finally looked at him. "Evidence is not certainty."

Kael fell silent as Lytharion took another slow sip. "Come to the point. I dislike mortal games of puzzles."

Kael swallowed. "I need to protect the Wolf Clans."

"Then protect them."

"The Grimfangs won’t stop."

"I see."

"The records say their King and Queen must be killed before the beasts can be forced back into hibernation."

Lytharion’s expression remained unreadable. Kael continued. "But...no one knows where their king and queen reside."

Silence.

Kael lifted his eyes as he hesitated. "So...do you know where they reside?"

Nothing.

No answer, not even a breath. The silence became suffocating. Lytharion slowly placed his goblet upon the table. Then...he looked at Kael; cold golden eyes met amber, and then a faint smile appeared.

Not warm, not amused, something far more dangerous. "Of course I know, my queen."

Kael’s face immediately brightened. "Then—"

"But...I have no intention of letting you know."

The smile remained.

Kael froze. "...What?"

Lytharion leaned back against the cushions as his voice became dangerously calm. "I said...I have no intention of letting you know where they reside, my queen."

Kael stared at him in disbelief. "But the Wolf Clans are in danger."

"Yes."

"They could be slaughtered."

"Yes."

"Then why—?"

"My Queen." Lytharion’s voice cut through his words, cold and absolute. The warmth that had existed moments ago was gone.

"I have already broken one of the oldest laws governing the divine."

Kael fell silent as Lytharion leaned forward, his golden gaze meeting amber eyes. "You were never supposed to rule a mortal empire, and yet...I allowed it. You became emperor; I did not stop you."

His fingers tapped once against the armrest.

"Because you are my mate but do not mistake my indulgence...for permission to make me break another law."

Kael’s hands twitched. "I only want to protect my people."

"And you should." Lytharion’s answer was immediate. "You are their emperor. Which means their problems...are yours."

Kael’s eyes widened slightly. Lytharion’s voice lowered.

"Not mine."

The words struck harder than Kael expected.

"You want to rule mortals? Then rule them. You want to protect them? Then protect them. You want to wear their crown? Then carry its weight." His golden eyes became almost merciless.

"But do not come to me every time the mortal world places a blade against your throat."

Kael stared at him. Lytharion continued.

"I have already stood against the laws of Heaven for you. I will not tear apart the balance of the divine simply because Qashmar has acquired another problem."

Kael’s fingers clenched. "I..."

Lytharion’s expression remained tyrannical. "As your mate...your protection is my priority, not this empire, not its nobles, not its armies, and definitely not its throne."

His gaze locked onto Kael.

"I do not care if this empire burns or this world...I shall only protect you from burning. So, deal with your own mortal problems."

Kael couldn’t speak. Lytharion picked up his goblet again; his voice became almost dismissive. "Find your own answer."

Kael’s chest tightened; those sentences echoed through the cellar, absolute, final, and tyrannical. There was no argument left to make. Kael lowered his gaze for several moments...he simply sat beside him.

Then Lytharion spoke again. "If that’s all, you may leave."

Kael looked up. Lytharion had already turned his attention back toward his wine, as though the conversation were finished. Kael slowly rose; his expression was difficult to read. He took one step toward the exit, then another, at the enormous bronze doors... He stopped.

Kael turned. Lytharion was still seated upon the diwan; the Lord of Darkness looked almost completely indifferent.

Almost.

Kael stared at him for one final moment. Then...he walked out.

BOOM.

The bronze doors closed. Lytharion remained alone in the ancient wine cellar, his golden, cold eyes staying fixed upon the closed doors. The goblet in his hand stopped halfway to his lips. For several seconds...the tyrant deity said nothing.

Then his expression darkened.

"You should never have asked me about them, my queen."

He looked toward the ancient carvings covering the walls, and for the first time...the wine no longer tasted sweet.

***

[Outside the Imperial Wine Cellar — Moments Later]

The bronze doors of the wine cellar closed behind Kael. Cedric and Duke Lucein were already waiting outside; the moment Kael emerged, both men bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty."

Neither dared speak further; they waited, but Kael said nothing. He simply stood there for several seconds, his mind still trapped inside the cellar.

Lytharion’s words continued to echo through his mind. Kael dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

"This...cannot keep going."

Kael looked at Duke Lucein. His amber eyes were no longer uncertain; they were determined. "Prepare the finest Imperial Knights."

Lucein froze. Cedric’s expression changed immediately. Kael continued.

"Select the strongest warriors from the northern divisions. I want experienced trackers, mages, healers, scouts...and enough soldiers to defend the northern settlements."

Lucein stared at him. "Your Majesty..."

Kael turned toward the long corridor.

"We are going north."

Silence.

Cedric stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the northern mountains are extremely dangerous; the Grimfangs are already moving, and if their king and queen truly remain somewhere within those mountains..."

Cedric hesitated.

"...then marching an Imperial force directly into their territory could be catastrophic."

Kael’s jaw tightened. "I know."

Lucein’s expression became increasingly troubled. "Your Majesty...you may lose your life."

Kael stopped. For a moment...the corridor became completely silent. Lucein lowered his voice.

"You have only just taken the throne; the coronation was yesterday, someone already attempted to poison you and now...you intend to enter the territory of the very beasts that destroyed entire clans three centuries ago."

His voice tightened.

"Your Majesty...you could lose everything."

Kael slowly turned around; his amber eyes met Lucein’s. "I became Emperor knowing that."

Lucein fell silent.

"I knew the moment I accepted that crown...that there would be people who wanted me dead. I knew there would be nobles who wanted my throne. I knew there would be enemies beyond the borders."

His expression hardened.

"But I did not accept the crown so I could hide behind its walls. I accepted it...because someone has to stand between Qashmar and the darkness coming toward it."

Cedric lowered his head. Lucein remained silent. Kael turned away. "Prepare the knights."

Lucein hesitated. "But, Your Majesty—"

Kael’s voice became colder. "This is my order; do not make me repeat it."

Lucein immediately bowed. "...Yes, Your Majesty."

Kael began walking down the hallway; his footsteps echoed against the marble. Neither man followed immediately. They simply watched their emperor disappear around the corner.

Cedric finally whispered, "What should we do, Duke?"

Lucein’s expression remained grim as he clenched his fist, saying, "We have to protect the emperor."

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