Chapter 41: THE RAVEN OF DARKNESS

[Imperial Palace — The Next Day — Emperor’s Chamber]

The Emperor’s chamber was unusually quiet, only the pale morning light slipping through the enormous lattice windows, painting faint golden patterns across the silk-covered bed.

For once...Qashmar’s Emperor was not thinking about war. Kael opened his eyes slowly; his first awareness was warmth, a steady heartbeat beneath his cheek and an arm wrapped securely around his waist.

He blinked, then looked down. He was once again sleeping against Lytharion’s bare chest, almost completely enclosed within the deity’s arms.

Kael stared at the arm around him; the grip wasn’t harsh, and it wasn’t possessive. It was almost...protective.

For several seconds, Kael simply remained there, then he carefully lifted himself. The movement caused Lytharion’s arm to loosen.

Kael turned; the Lord of Darkness was still asleep, and his long black hair had fallen messily across his face. His usually sharp features appeared strangely peaceful in sleep, without the cold golden stare that could make entire armies tremble.

Kael’s amber eyes lingered on him.

’He looks...different like this.’

Almost human and almost harmless. Kael hesitated, then, without thinking, he reached out and gently pushed a strand of black hair away from Lytharion’s face.

The moment his fingers touched his hair, Lytharion’s eyes opened, golden, sharp and awake. Kael immediately withdrew his hand. Lytharion stared at him for a moment and sat up, naked, asking, "Already awake?"

Kael looked away. "I thought you were still sleeping."

"I was."

Lytharion’s long black hair fell over his shoulders as he stretched lazily, completely unconcerned about the fact that he was completely naked.

He yawned, then looked toward Kael. "Water."

Kael blinked. "Sure."

Kael stared at him for a moment as Lytharion poured water for him as he handed it to Kael; their fingers briefly brushed, and neither spoke.

Kael drank slowly before placing the glass aside, and Lytharion asked, "When are you leaving?"

Kael’s expression remained calm. "This afternoon, as soon as the soldiers and supplies are ready."

"Then I shall accompany you."

Kael looked at him for a moment; something warm flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared almost immediately.

"You don’t have to."

Lytharion’s gaze remained on him as Kael swallowed as he lowered his eyes. "I mean...you don’t have to force yourself to come simply because I’m your mate."

Silence.

Lytharion’s expression became unreadable; he slowly looked away. "I see."

The warmth vanished from his voice. Kael’s heart tightened. Lytharion walked toward the bathing chamber.

"Then...all the best, my Emperor, hopefully," he continued casually, "you find the Grimfang King and Queen."

Kael stared at his back. "Lytharion..."

The deity stopped. Kael opened his mouth, but nothing came out; he didn’t know what he wanted to say.

’Come with me.’

The words were there, right behind his teeth, but he couldn’t say them because he had already told Lytharion he didn’t have to come, and Lytharion...was respecting his words.

The deity finally stepped inside the bathing chamber, and the door closed.

CLICK.

Kael remained sitting on the edge of the bed, his fingers slowly curled around the glass of water. The same glass Lytharion had just drunk from, he stared at it, then lowered his eyes.

"...Why does that feel worse?"

The room offered no answer, only silence, and behind the closed bathroom door...for the first time that morning... Lytharion wasn’t smiling either.

***

[Later — Hallway — Imperial Palace]

The long marble corridor was unusually tense.

Servants moved quickly along the edges of the hall, while armed knights stood at intervals beneath the towering pillars. The atmosphere of the palace had changed since the reports from the north began arriving.

Kael walked steadily through the corridor, his crimson Imperial cloak trailing behind him. Cedric followed several steps behind.

"Your Majesty, the beast sightings have been reported again."

Kael’s expression immediately hardened. "Where?"

"Near the northern watchtower." Cedric’s voice lowered. "Three scouts reported seeing Grimfang tracks crossing the eastern ridge."

Kael’s fingers tightened as he looked ahead. "Again...are the knights selected for the expedition ready?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." Cedric bowed. "The best Imperial Knights have already assembled in the eastern courtyard. Supplies have been loaded, the healers are prepared, and Duke Lucein is personally inspecting the weapons."

Kael nodded as he continued walking. "Good, we leave as soon as everything is confirmed."

Cedric bowed again. "We are only waiting for your command."

Kael took another step, then stopped as he saw at the opposite end of the corridor... Lytharion was walking toward him.

Long black hair, dark robes and golden eyes, the Lord of Darkness walked with his usual lazy, unhurried steps, as though the entire palace belonged to him; his gaze briefly passed over Cedric, then settled upon Kael.

"Leaving already?"

Kael nodded. "Yes."

Lytharion stopped before them; his eyes moved toward Cedric. "Then prepare yourselves."

Cedric immediately bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Kael stared at him for a moment; there was something strangely comforting as he stared at him. Cedric bowed once more before turning away.

"I shall inform the knights, Your Majesty."

He walked down the corridor. Lytharion watched him disappear around the corner. Then without saying anything...he reached for Kael’s hand, his fingers closed around Kael’s.

"Come."

Kael blinked. "Where?"

"Just be quiet and follow me."

And before Kael could question him again, Lytharion turned and began walking. Kael followed silently.

***

[Later — Emperor’s Chamber]

The chamber doors closed behind them.

CLICK.

Kael turned toward Lytharion. "What is it?"

Lytharion didn’t answer. Instead, he stood directly before Kael and held out his hand. Kael frowned, then—

PLUCK.

Lytharion pulled a single strand of his long black hair free. Kael’s eyes widened. "...What are you doing?"

Lytharion placed the strand between their clasped hands. "Be quiet."

Kael blinked. "I was only—"

"Quiet, my queen." His voice wasn’t harsh. It was commanding. Kael fell silent as Lytharion closed his eyes; his expression changed. The laziness vanished, the amusement disappeared, and for a moment, he looked less like Kael’s husband...and more like what he truly was.

The Lord of Darkness, ancient, unfathomable and dangerous as his lips began moving. A whisper escaped them. Words Kael couldn’t understand.

Then—

STIRRRRRR...

Kael froze; the shadows beneath their feet began to move, not flicker, not shift with the light a Move.

Kael’s breath caught. "Lytharion..."

The deity’s fingers immediately tightened around his hand, a silent command to stay. Kael swallowed and remained still; the shadows twisted around their feet like dark smoke, and then something strange happened.

The darkness began gathering around the single strand of Lytharion’s hair as a faint scent filled the room, sandalwood, deep, warm and ancient.

The scent of the Lord of Darkness himself.

Then—

FWWOOOOOSHHHHH!

Something burst from the shadow. Kael flinched; a black shape shot upward and circled once above them and landed directly upon Kael’s shoulder.

Kael froze, and as he turned his head, he saw...

"...A raven?"

The bird stared back at him. Its feathers were darker than midnight. Its eyes are amber, bright and almost unnaturally intelligent.

The raven tilted its head. Then—nudge. It rubbed its beak against Kael’s cheek.

Kael blinked; the raven did it again. Lytharion opened his eyes, and he looked at the bird. Then at Kael, as the raven nudged Kael’s face once more.

Lytharion calmly reached over and pushed its beak away. "Don’t scratch him."

The raven stared at him. Lytharion stared back as the bird gave a long, offended "Cawww..."

Then it simply settled itself against Kael’s shoulder, its feathers puffed up. It looked...almost offended to be there. Lytharion narrowed his eyes.

"...Did I summon the wrong one?"

Kael couldn’t help it; a small laugh escaped him. Lytharion glanced at him. "You find this amusing?"

Kael looked at the raven again. "...A little."

The raven closed its amber eyes, completely ignoring them. Lytharion sighed, then Kael’s expression softened; he gently raised one hand and allowed the raven to sniff his fingers.

"What is this creature?"

Lytharion’s expression finally relaxed as he looked at Raven, saying, "This...is Veyrith."

The raven opened one amber eye. Kael repeated the name quietly. "Veyrith..."

Lytharion nodded. "One of the fragments of my shadow."

Kael looked at him in surprise. "Your shadow?"

"Not merely my shadow." Lytharion’s gaze became distant. "Veyrith carries a fragment of my essence."

Kael stared at the raven. "So...he’s part of you?"

"Yes."

Kael’s eyes widened slightly. Lytharion stepped closer as his voice became quieter with warmth.

"I cannot accompany you every moment, and there are places where even my presence would attract too much attention, but Veyrith can travel where I cannot."

Kael looked down at the raven. "And what is he supposed to do?"

Lytharion’s golden eyes met his. "Protect you."

Kael went still.

"If you’re in danger..." Lytharion reached out and gently touched Veyrith’s head. "...he will know, and if you are injured...he will find me, and if he still can’t reach me, Veyrith will make certain that the enemy regrets surviving long enough to try."

Kael stared at him. Then slowly...he smiled. It wasn’t the smile of an emperor, nor the smile of a mate trying to fulfil a bargain. It was simply...Kael’s smile.

"Thank you."

Lytharion looked at him for a long moment, then his fingers brushed lightly over Kael’s hair. "Don’t thank me yet."

Kael looked up. Lytharion’s golden eyes softened almost imperceptibly. "Just come back without a scratch."

Kael’s smile faded into something quieter. "I will."

Veyrith suddenly gave a lazy little "Caw".

For the first time that morning...the coldness between them seemed to loosen, only slightly but enough.