Chapter 42: WHERE THE QUEEN GOES, DARKNESS FOLLOWS

[Imperial Palace — Emperor’s Chamber — Continuation]

"CAWWW~~~"

Veyrith melted comfortably beneath Kael’s touch as Kael gently rubbed his chin with his thumb. A faint smile rested upon the emperor’s lips; for once, there was no tension in his amber eyes.

No throne, no war, and no Grimfangs. Just warmth. Lytharion watched him in silence. He couldn’t seem to look away. Seeing his queen like this...quietly smiling as he held the strange little raven...changed something in the chamber.

The room no longer felt cold. It no longer felt like an emperor’s chamber. It felt...almost like a safe place.

Lytharion slowly stepped closer, one step and then another. His shadow stretched across the floor, swallowing the light around Kael until the two of them stood within the darkness.

Kael noticed as he lifted his eyes. "What happened?"

Lytharion didn’t answer; he simply raised his hand and gently brushed his thumb along Kael’s chin. Kael’s smile disappeared, and his amber eyes searched the deity’s golden ones.

"Lytharion...?"

Still nothing.

The Lord of Darkness leaned closer, close enough for Kael to feel his breath and close enough that the world seemed to become strangely quiet.

Then—

KISS.

Lytharion’s lips met his. Kael’s eyes widened, and for one heartbeat, he simply stood there, completely startled by the sudden tenderness.

Lytharion pulled away, only slightly. Their foreheads almost touched, holding eyes met amber, and neither spoke as the silence between them was heavier than words.

Kael’s lips parted as his voice barely escaped. "Why..."

Lytharion’s thumb traced gently across his lower lip. "You’re so beautiful, my queen."

Kael stared at him. "That’s...your reason?"

A faint smile touched Lytharion’s lips. "Perhaps."

His hand slid around Kael’s waist, slowly and carefully, as he drew him closer until Kael could feel the warmth of his chest against his own.

"Or perhaps..." Lytharion’s voice dropped. "...I simply wanted to."

Kael’s heart stumbled. Veyrith suddenly gave an impatient—

"CAW!"

The raven fluttered away from Kael’s shoulder and landed upon the chandelier above them. Kael glanced upward, then back at Lytharion. Lytharion’s mouth curved. "He has better instincts than most mortals."

Kael’s heart pounded, making him breathe heavily as he saw his mate looking at him with tenderness. Not like someone who has dealt with him and neither like a deity.

And Lytharion’s hand remained at his waist; his gaze had softened as he pulled Kael’s chin up, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Look at your husband, my queen."

Kael did, and this time...he didn’t look away. Lytharion leaned down again and...their lips met.

Slower this time and unhurried. A kiss without the suddenness of the first. Kael’s fingers instinctively curled into the fabric of Lytharion’s robe. The Lord of Darkness held him securely, one hand resting against his waist while the other gently brushed through his hair.

The kiss deepened only with tenderness, carrying all the words neither of them seemed willing to say.

Yet somehow...both seemed to understand. Kael finally relaxed against him, his eyes closed as he surrendered not to power...but to the warmth of the moment.

A soft press of lips, lingering just long enough to ask rather than take. Kael inhaled sharply, the sound catching in his throat, and that alone seemed to change something, but then the kiss deepened.

Lytharion claimed the space between them inch by inch, his hand sliding to the back of Kael’s neck, fingers spreading there, guiding without force. Kael’s breath stuttered, "Mmhh..." a quiet moan slipping free as the Emperor tilted his head, pressing closer.

The sound was soft, "Mmmh..."

Lytharion’s lips moved with patient dominance, drawing out that sound again...deeper, warmer, and resonating in Kael’s chest. Kael’s hands clenched Lytharion’s arms as another breathless moan broke from his lips, his body reacting before his mind could catch up.

"Hn...ngh..."

Lytharion broke the kiss just enough to breathe against him.

"There," he murmured, his voice low as a prayer spoken in a sealed temple. His thumb traced Kael’s cheek, slow and deliberate. "Do not bind your breath, my queen. Open your mouth so I can reach deeper."

Kael did, and Lytharion pressed his lips to Kael once more as his cheeks burned with sudden, intense heat.

And this kiss?

It was not gentle.

It came heavy with intent, hunger veiled beneath iron restraint. Lytharion’s mouth claimed Kael’s with deliberate dominance, no haste, and no mercy. He tasted him fully now, his tongue drawing Kael in, testing, demanding,, and owning him.

"Ah—mph—"

The sound slipped free, broken and helpless.

Lytharion deepened the kiss, devouring him, sweeping his tongue into Kael’s, and in that moment the air changed. A pheromone closed around Kael like a shadow: the dark depth of sandalwood, a pheromone that did not seduce so much as assert. It pressed into his breath, into his pulse, heavy with command, leaving no room for doubt or distance.

When Lytharion finally parted, a slick thread of saliva escaped his lips.

Kael trembled with such intensity. His eyes were wide and unfocused, and his lips were swollen and parted as he dragged in air. Heat flooded his face, pulse racing.

Lytharion’s golden eyes searched his face. "I wish to go more...my queen."

Kael opened his eyes; for several seconds, he said nothing, then his fingers tightened gently against Lytharion’s robe.

"I...I need to leave..." Kael lowered his gaze.

Lytharion lifted his chin again; his voice was unusually soft, "Come back soon, don’t make me wait for long."

Kael nodded; his cheeks were pink.

Above them, Veyrith tilted his head.

"Cawww..."

Kael glanced upward. Lytharion sighed. "Apparently, our witness has lost patience."

Kael laughed softly, and for the first time that day...the Lord of Darkness smiled because his queen was smiling.

***

[Later — Outside the Imperial Palace]

The enormous gates of the Imperial Palace stood open; beyond them, the Imperial Knights were already waiting. Rows upon rows of armored soldiers stood beside their horses, weapons secured, supplies loaded, banners of Qashmar fluttering proudly in the afternoon wind.

The northern expedition was ready.

Kael stepped out of the palace; his crimson cloak moved behind him with every step, the golden emblem of the Red Wolf catching the sunlight. Veyrith remained perched upon his shoulder, his black feathers gleaming beneath the afternoon sun.

Kael reached his horse as a knight immediately stepped forward and lowered himself. "Your Majesty."

Kael placed one foot into the stirrup and mounted effortlessly; the moment he settled into the saddle, Veyrith adjusted himself upon his shoulder.

"CAWW—"

Kael smiled faintly. "Stay there."

Veyrith gave a satisfied little—"Caw!"

Kael looked toward the waiting army. Duke Lucein raised his hand. "Prepare to depart!"

The knights straightened, horses stamped against the stone, the imperial banner rose high above them, and Kael took one slow breath.

Then—

"Move."

The first line of knights began riding through the gates.

THUD...

THUD...

THUD...

The sound of hundreds of hooves echoed across the courtyard. Kael followed; his expression was calm, and his gaze remained fixed upon the road ahead.

He did not turn around, not once, but behind him...beneath the enormous stone archway of the palace entrance... Lytharion stood alone, his back rested lazily against one of the pillars, and his arms were folded across his chest.

His black robes moved gently in the wind, while strands of his long hair brushed against his face as he watched, silently.

His golden eyes followed every movement of the emperor’s horse, every step, every turn and every moment Kael moved farther away.

The deity didn’t call his name; he didn’t wave; he didn’t follow. He simply watched his queen leave. Kael’s figure slowly became smaller beyond the palace gates. Veyrith remained visible upon his shoulder...a small black silhouette against the crimson cloak.

Lytharion’s gaze remained fixed upon him; his expression was unreadable but his fingers slowly tightened against his sleeve.

"The fate is indeed cruel, my queen. It’s testing our bond again."

The words were barely audible; the wind carried them away before anyone could hear. His eyes narrowed toward the northern horizon.

"And I guess..." A dangerous smile slowly appeared upon his lips. "I’ll have to tear the entire north apart to find you if those idiots go beyond their limits. Until then...hold it..."

The Emperor of Qashmar rode toward the unknown...while the Lord of Darkness remained behind, watching his queen disappear into the distance.

For several long moments...

Lytharion did not move.

Then—

"Zevran."

The shadows beneath the palace pillars stirred. FWOOSH—A silver fox emerged silently from the darkness. Its fur shimmered beneath the sunlight as it lowered its head and bowed deeply before the Lord of Darkness.

"My Sovereign..." Its voice was low and reverent. "Your order."

Lytharion’s golden gaze remained fixed upon the northern horizon. "Follow my queen."

Zevran raised his head. Lytharion’s expression hardened as his voice dropped into a quiet, deadly warning.

"And make certain...that none of those fools harm him. If anything approaches my queen..." The shadows around Lytharion began to tremble. "...you intervene."

Zevran bowed once more. "As my Sovereign commands."

His silver body began dissolving into wisps of darkness. Then—

FWOOSH!

He vanished into the air. Lytharion remained alone beneath the palace archway; his eyes stayed fixed upon the road Kael had taken and somewhere far beyond the mountains...the Lord of Darkness’s shadow had already begun following his queen.