Chapter 61: After the Protection Barrier

[The Shadow Temple — Later — Outside the Temple — Night]

The night had grown strangely still.

Above the ancient temple, the crescent moon hung between drifting clouds, casting pale silver across the enormous black gates. The last traces of the ritual still lingered in the air—faint threads of shadow curling around the temple pillars before disappearing into the darkness.

And beneath that moonlight stood the Lord of Darkness. Lytharion held Kael securely in his arms.

The Emperor was still unconscious, his head resting against Lytharion’s chest, crimson hair falling loosely across his forehead. One of Lytharion’s arms supported his back while the other remained wrapped firmly around his waist, as though even unconscious, Kael was something the deity refused to release.

For a long while, Lytharion simply watched him; his golden eyes were unusually quiet. Then Kael’s lashes trembled.

Once, twice, and slowly, his amber eyes opened.

The first thing he saw was darkness, and the second was the familiar golden glow of Lytharion’s eyes. Kael blinked several times before realizing he was being carried.

His gaze traveled down to the arm wrapped around him, then back to Lytharion’s face. For several heartbeats, he simply stared.

Lytharion noticed, and a faint smile appeared upon his lips. "You slept for quite some time, my love."

Kael’s brows furrowed weakly; he didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he shifted closer, instinctively pressing his cheek against Lytharion’s chest.

His voice emerged quietly. "It hurt..."

The smile vanished from Lytharion’s face as his arm tightened around Kael. "I know."

Kael closed his eyes again.

"It was unbearable."

Lytharion lowered his head, pressing a gentle kiss against his forehead as his voice was unusually soft. "I apologize, beloved. I would never willingly make you suffer, but some protections demand a price."

His golden eyes shifted toward the ancient temple behind them.

"Nothing powerful enough to shield you from the divine realm can be placed upon your body without consequence." He looked down at Kael again as his voice lowered.

"And if I had another way...I would have chosen it."

Kael studied his face; for a moment, he saw no Shadow King, no terrifying deity, only his husband. The man who had carried him through the night because he was too weak to walk.

Kael’s expression softened. "Then..."

He hesitated.

Lytharion raised an eyebrow. "Then?"

Kael’s cheeks slowly warmed as his fingers curled lightly into Lytharion’s robe. "The protection...does it mean...that I am ready to bear your child?"

Silence, an absolute silence.

Lytharion’s golden eyes widened ever so slightly. Kael immediately regretted asking as his face turned crimson. He buried half of it against Lytharion’s chest.

"I shouldn’t have asked."

A low chuckle escaped Lytharion; not mocking, it was warm, deep, and affectionate. "You truly have learned how to surprise your husband."

Kael peeked up at him, and Lytharion’s smile softened.

"Not yet." Kael blinked as Lytharion’s fingers gently brushed Kael’s cheek. "You still have to go through the formation of the womb; after that...yes."

Kael’s expression became thoughtful, and then, surprisingly, he smiled as his amber eyes lowered. "When the time comes...I want our child to be gentle."

Lytharion listened quietly.

"Strong enough to survive this world," Kael continued, "but never so consumed by power that they destroy themselves."

Something warm passed through Lytharion’s eyes. "I trust you."

Kael looked up. "You do?"

"I do." Lytharion leaned closer until their foreheads touched. "But there is one thing you must remember: the child does not exist yet."

Kael blinked. Lytharion’s lips curved into a faintly mischievous smile. "So you have already begun worrying about the fate of someone who has not even existed."

Kael’s cheeks puffed slightly. "I am the emperor and queen. It is my responsibility to worry."

"Of course." Lytharion nodded solemnly. "An admirable imperial responsibility."

Kael narrowed his eyes.

"You’re teasing me."

"Perhaps."

Kael gave him a small glare, but Lytharion’s expression softened again as he gently adjusted Kael in his arms and his thumb brushed beneath Kael’s eye. "You have endured enough tonight; you should rest."

Kael looked at him for several seconds, then Lytharion’s gaze suddenly became amused. "Although..."

Kael immediately became suspicious.

"Although what?"

Lytharion leaned closer. "There is another way my beloved could satisfy his husband’s heart."

Kael’s brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Lytharion said nothing as he simply looked at him.

That look.

That faint gleam in his golden eyes. Kael’s eyes widened. "Lytharion..."

The deity’s smile deepened. "I said nothing."

"You were thinking something." "I am a deity. I think many things."

"Lytharion."

The Shadow King chuckled as Kael glanced around, and then realization struck him. His face became bright red.

"This is the temple."

Lytharion’s eyebrows rose.

"I never said we would do anything here."

Kael froze.

"...Oh."

Lytharion leaned down and whispered beside his ear. "We shall rest tonight at Nhar’zul veyth; I shall take you there."

Kael’s ears turned crimson as he nodded and immediately buried his face against Lytharion’s chest as his voice became barely audible.

"I...don’t mind."

Lytharion stopped walking; for a moment, he simply stared down at the top of Kael in his arms. Then the smallest, most satisfied smile appeared upon his lips.

"My beloved...you truly are becoming dangerous."

Kael tightened his arms around his neck. "Only because you keep teasing me."

"Then I shall accept responsibility."

Lytharion began walking beneath the moonlit sky, carrying his husband away from the Shadow Temple towards Nhar’zhul Veyth and behind them; the ancient gates remained silent.

But deep within the temple—

THUM.

The Shadow God’s altar pulsed once; neither of them noticed, and beneath the black roots of the ancient sanctuary, something old stirred in the darkness...something that had recognized Kael long before Kael had ever learned its name.

***

[Nhar’Zhul Veyth Forest — Shadow Manor — Midnight]

The forest slept beneath the silver moon.

Snow covered the ancient trees like a veil of white, while the shadows between their roots moved gently with the night wind.

Through that endless darkness—

CRUNCH...

CRUNCH...

Two enormous wolves emerged between the trees. One was as black as the night itself, his golden eyes glowing beneath the moonlight. The other was crimson-red, his fur carrying the faint warmth of fire against the cold northern snow.

The two wolves walked side by side as they had already found their way home.

As the enormous obsidian gates of the Shadow Manor appeared through the trees, the black wolf slowed.

The red wolf stopped beside him, and for a moment, they simply looked at the ancient manor rising beyond the gates.

Then—

FWOOSH.

Darkness surrounded the black wolf, his enormous form shifted, black fur receding beneath waves of shadow until Lytharion stood upon the snow.

Beside him, Kael’s red wolf form dissolved into crimson light. Kael emerged in his human form, his long hair falling around his shoulders.

He looked toward the manor as his expression softened.

"It’s been a long time."

Lytharion turned toward him as his golden eyes remained fixed upon Kael for several heartbeats before he extended his hand.

Kael looked down at it, then he smiled faintly and placed his hand into Lytharion’s. The deity’s fingers closed around his immediately.

"Indeed, but this is where our story began, after all."

Kael looked at him, and without another word, he lifted their joined hands slightly.

"Come, beloved."

Kael allowed himself to be led toward the entrance. For the first time, the enormous gates of the Shadow Manor did not seem quite as intimidating as they once had.

Perhaps the manor had not changed. Perhaps Kael had because now, when he walked through those ancient gates, he wasn’t entering the domain of the Lord of Darkness as a stranger.

He was returning to the home of his husband. Veyrith suddenly fluttered from Kael’s shoulder.

FWOOSH—!

The black raven flew through the open doorway before them, giving an excited—

"CAWWWW!"

Kael smiled when they stepped inside.

The moment their feet crossed the threshold, the servants and guards stationed within the grand entrance hall immediately lowered themselves.

The enormous hall was illuminated by hundreds of dark-golden lamps. Ancient pillars carved with wolves stretched toward the vaulted ceiling, while silver runes glimmered faintly along the black marble floor.

At the center of the hall Zevran was already waiting. The silver wolf knelt immediately, lowering his head.

"Welcome, my Sovereign. Welcome, Queen of Shadows."

Kael’s expression softened. "Zevran."

The silver wolf remained kneeling. Kael took a small step closer. "How have you been?"

Zevran’s expression softened almost imperceptibly. "It has been long, Your Majesty. I am relieved to see that you have returned safely."

Kael smiled.

"I am glad to see you too."

Lytharion’s hand tightened around his as his golden gaze shifted toward Zevran.

"Dismissed."

Zevran immediately bowed. "Yes, my Sovereign."

Lytharion then added casually... "And take Veyrith with you."

A sudden flutter came from above. Veyrith landed on Kael’s shoulder; the raven stared at Lytharion and then at Kael, then back at Lytharion.

"Caw?"

Lytharion’s expression didn’t change.

"Go."

Veyrith puffed his feathers.

"CAW!"

Kael chuckled as Veyrith flapped his wings furiously.

CAWWWW!

"Do you want to get punished again...?" Lytharion’s voice hardened.

The raven immediately flew to the opposite side of Kael’s shoulder. Zevran stared at him. Veyrith stared back as Lytharion glanced at him, and the irritation in his expression disappeared immediately.

The raven gave one final victorious—

"Caw!"

Zevran finally caught him gently in his arms. Veyrith protested all the way.

"CAWWWW—!"

The sound slowly disappeared down the corridor. Kael watched them leave, amusement still lingering on his face, then he felt Lytharion’s fingers intertwine with his again.

He looked toward him. Lytharion said nothing as he simply began walking.

Kael followed, their footsteps echoing softly through the ancient corridors, past the black pillars, past the silver-burning lamps toward the chamber that belonged to the Lord of Darkness.

And tonight...for the first time... It felt like it belonged to both of them.

Kael’s fingers tightened gently around Lytharion’s. Hand in hand, husband and wife disappeared into the darkness of the ancient manor.

Behind them, the Shadow Manor fell silent once more as Zevran muttered, "We should not go to the second floor tonight, Veyrith."

Veyrith sighed, "Cawww...."