As the clock struck twelve, just as Kael proclaimed the words, so did Rowan thrust deep into Elias.
Elias gasped. "Ahh... yeah," he groaned, his waist inching forward, his fingers tightening on the silk sheet, and his body quivering.
"You like it, don't you… Tell me you like it," Rowan groaned, his hands tightening around Elias' neck as he thrust in harder.
"I… yeah, deeper," Elias cried, both from the pain and the pleasure. He felt his world spin—the passion, the bliss, the heat—it was too much. His eyes closed, and his body trembled a little; his back ached.
But then Rowan suddenly stopped, and Elias' eyes snapped open.
"Ride me," he commanded, and without delay, they switched.
Elias' legs stretched forward; he descended, biting his bottom lip, his gaze never leaving the man under him, whose hands wrapped tightly around his waist.
"Ride me, Eli," Rowan groaned, and Elias descended, swallowing every inch as he gasped and lowered deeper. His legs trembled, but he never stopped.
They went on for hours, changed positions, and still Elias rode until he couldn't take any more. His body was weak, and too many orgasms had made his mind hazy and drowsy.
It wasn't until five in the morning that Rowan collapsed to the side, and they dozed off.
The room was quiet, and the sun peeked through the curtains. Elias stirred on the bed, the silk sliding across his bare skin. He turned to the side—and it was empty.
Deep down, he had expected it to be, but still, it was cold. He had been gone for a long time.
The events of the night flashed in his mind, a smile crept on his lips, and his body heated up. His fingers grazed the sheets—it all still felt like a dream. Rowan's voice, the commands, their bodies entangled in each other's... a wonderful yet dangerous dream.
Elias slowly sat up, his body sore in places he hadn't expected.
A quick knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Come in," he answered, and Sonia walked in with Kim.
"Time for your bath, Consort," Sonia announced, walking off to the bathroom.
Elias knew they all could tell what had happened—the pink blush on their cheeks was enough proof.
"Where is the prince?" Elias demanded, and Kim straightened up.
"He left for an early council meeting."
Elias sighed heavily. "He left without a word."
He wrapped himself properly, then walked to the bathroom. His steps felt weak and heavy, and his heart thundered with a mix of heartbreak and humiliation.
"What had I been thinking? That he would kiss me good morning and hold my hands?" He scoffed aloud.
Sonia and Kim could only keep him company as he lamented his frustration.
He wanted to blame the prince, but deep down, he knew he had given in—it was as much his fault as Rowan's.
Within the dark sanctuary of the forgotten gods, Kael collapsed to his knees, sweat dripping from his bare chest and droplets of blood from his injured hand.
His heart pounded, and his chest tightened. He gasped for breath, his body falling to the ground—but no one helped him.
He did not need it—not when his heart, body, and soul were rejecting the curse he had just placed on their mate.
He watched as the candles fell short of lighting up the surroundings, and everything returned to normal.
But was he normal?
"You offered more than blood tonight. The price will soon come."
But Kael did not answer—he was trembling, and his face was pale.
"You should rest," Mistress Diana said, then stood up.
Kael breathed as he watched her leave.
"I don't care, as long as Elias is barren… As long as no child of the crippled prince lives inside him, I will pay whatever bargain is required."
The strange figure did not follow her mistress. Rather, she stayed by Kael's side, her cloak over her head, but her eyes piercing like daggers.
"This is madness," the figure whispered. "You have cursed the one you claim to love?" she chuckled bitterly.
"I have to protect him," Kael growled, but everyone could see past the lie.
"Elias is the bait. The throne, the cursed bloodline… everything Rowan had trapped him with. An heir would break it all, but no heir would free him." His lips trembled with every word.
"If Elias cannot give them an heir, they would let him go… and I will be there," he added.
The figure bowed slowly, her finger picking up his chin as her cold, red eyes pierced into his.
"And if it backfires?"
Four words—and Kael's eyes sparked up. His wolf was lingering on the surface.
"Then let the world burn," he hissed.
The figure stood up and walked over, picking up what was left of the ritual.
"Be careful, Alpha Kael… My mistress may not have told you, but," she turned, facing him, her fingers tightening on a candle, "the curse has the worst aftermath—when it fails."
Kael froze for a second, his mind pounding, but the worry was gone just as quickly as it came.
"No… Elias will be mine, and the curse will be broken in due time."
Back at the palace, Elias, who had been anxiously waiting for Rowa, sighed heavily as he watched him enter.
"Where were you?" Elias asked.
Rowan stood at the door, his robes wet from the snow. But then, he looked nothing like the man from the previous night. His eyes carried no warmth; they were cold and distant, if not guarded.
He didn't reply... not immediately. Without looking at Elias, he walked over to the closet.
"I was summoned," he said, picking out a fresh set of clothes. "The court had questions," he added.
Elias stood up from the bed. He did not like this sudden coldness from him. His body still ached, but he stood firm, his hands crossed over his chest.
"After what happened—" Elias began, and Rowan's eyes flickered. His fingers tightened on the robe he was holding, and his stomach churned.
"What do you mean?" He turned now, facing Elias, as cold as ever. There was no warmth. Nothing.
Elias stared at the man before him for a quick second.
"Are you seriously going to pretend you don't remember?"
"I don't," Rowan said flatly.
Elias staggered back, his body swaying to the side, but he gathered himself. He should have known—a snake changes its skin but never its being.
"You don't… remember touching me?" Elias asked, every word stabbing like a knife.
Rowan's lips curled cruelly, and he stepped forward, letting the robe fall.
"So what if I do… what? Don't tell me you thought we were now lovers." His voice dripped with malice.
Elias's smile stretched—not the type that reached his eyes.
"Of course not… Who would want ice for a lover?"
He turned to Kim, who stood by the door, ever waiting for orders.
"Help me move my items to the consort apartment."
Then his eyes turned back to the prince.
"The Western Tower has been without a consort since your mother's passing."
Rowan's fist tightened, but he said nothing.
"As consort, I should move in," and with that, he was gone like the wind.