Chapter 5 — Dangerous Feelings

Kael’s lips were still against Eden’s when another violent explosion shook the underground ruins.

Reality crashed back instantly.

The walls trembled.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

Somewhere deeper beneath the academy, the creature roared again loud enough to shake the air itself.

Kael pulled away first, breathing unevenly.

His forehead rested briefly against Eden’s shoulder.

“…This is a terrible time for feelings.”

Eden’s face burned.

“You kissed me first.”

“I’m aware.”

“And now?”

Kael looked up slowly.

The firelight flickering across his crimson eyes made Eden’s heartbeat stutter painfully again.

“Now I’m trying very hard not to do it again.”

That absolutely did not help.

Eden turned away quickly, pretending to examine the ruined corridor instead of the fact his entire body still felt warm from Kael touching him.

Outside, distant screams echoed through the underground halls.

Kael’s expression immediately hardened again.

“The barrier above the academy is collapsing.”

Eden frowned. “Can’t the professors stop that thing?”

“They’re trying.”

“…That sounds bad.”

“It is bad.”

Kael stood and extended his hand toward Eden naturally.

Without thinking, Eden took it.

Their fingers fit together too easily.

Both of them noticed.

Neither mentioned it.

---

The deeper they moved underground, the stranger the ruins became.

Ancient statues lined the corridors.

Silver symbols glowed faintly whenever Eden passed nearby.

Almost like the ruins themselves recognized him.

Kael noticed everything silently.

“You still haven’t told me the truth,” Eden said quietly.

Kael glanced toward him.

“What truth?”

“You know something about me.”

Silence.

Eden stopped walking.

“Kael.”

For once, Kael looked conflicted.

Then finally—

“Centuries ago, the Eclipse family helped seal an ancient beast beneath Astralis.”

Eden frowned.

“What does that have to do with me?”

Kael’s eyes darkened slightly.

“The seal was created using human souls.”

Eden felt cold instantly.

“…What?”

“One soul was reborn repeatedly through generations to maintain the seal.”

The corridor suddenly felt suffocating.

Eden stared at him blankly.

“No.”

Kael stepped closer slowly.

“We believed the final reincarnation disappeared years ago.”

Eden’s voice came out quieter than intended.

“And you think it’s me.”

Kael didn’t answer.

He didn’t need to.

The glowing symbols beneath Eden’s skin already confirmed it.

Eden laughed weakly.

“Wow. So not only am I poor and average… I’m apparently a magical sacrifice too?”

“You are not a sacrifice.”

Kael said it immediately.

Firmly.

Almost angrily.

Eden looked at him carefully.

Kael’s jaw tightened.

“For years the academy searched for the reincarnation because everyone feared what would happen if the seal weakened.”

“And now?”

Kael’s expression softened slightly.

“Now I’m trying to keep them from touching you.”

Something heavy settled inside Eden’s chest hearing those words.

Kael was protecting him.

Not because of duty.

Not because of curiosity anymore.

But because somewhere along the way—

This became personal.

Very personal.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed ahead.

Several masked figures appeared from the darkness wearing black cloaks marked with forbidden runes.

Kael immediately moved in front of Eden protectively.

“Stay behind me.”

One of the cloaked mages laughed softly.

“So the rumors were true. The heir finally awakened.”

Eden frowned. “Can people stop calling me weird titles?”

The cloaked figure ignored him.

“The seal is breaking. Hand him over peacefully.”

Kael’s flames ignited instantly around his body.

“No.”

The temperature in the corridor exploded upward dangerously.

The cloaked mages attacked immediately.

Dark magic filled the ruins.

Kael moved like pure destruction.

Fire tore through the underground halls violently as he shielded Eden while fighting. His magic was terrifying up close—fast, precise, overwhelmingly powerful.

One enemy launched a blade toward Eden from behind.

Kael reacted instantly.

He grabbed Eden and spun him against the wall protectively while flames exploded around them.

The enemy’s attack barely missed.

Eden’s breathing shook.

Kael’s body was pressed tightly against his again.

One hand beside Eden’s head.

The other gripping his waist firmly.

Their faces inches apart.

“Are you hurt?” Kael demanded.

Eden shook his head quickly.

Kael closed his eyes briefly in relief.

That tiny reaction somehow affected Eden more than the fighting itself.

The enemies surrounding them slowly backed away nervously.

One whispered:

“…The Draven heir is serious about protecting him.”

Another looked disturbed.

“He’s becoming emotionally compromised.”

Kael’s expression turned terrifyingly cold.

“Leave.”

The single word carried enough killing intent to silence the entire corridor.

Even Eden felt chills.

The cloaked mages disappeared moments later into the darkness.

Silence returned slowly.

Kael finally released him.

But Eden caught his sleeve before he could step away.

Kael looked back immediately.

Eden hesitated.

Then quietly asked—

“If protecting me becomes dangerous…”

Kael’s eyes softened slightly.

“It already is.”

“…Then why do it?”

For a moment, Kael simply stared at him.

Then his fingers brushed gently against Eden’s cheek.

Warm.

Careful.

Like Eden was something precious.

“Because,” Kael whispered softly, “I think I’m already too far gone to stop.”

...To be Continue........

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***