Solen's hands trembled around Caelum's throat, crimson eyes wide as he searched the hero's face—desperate for a hint of a lie, a joke, anything that would tell him this wasn't real.
But there was nothing.
Solen didn't want him to die. He just wanted to be free—free from fate, from God, from whatever this cursed bond was. He was tired of it all.
But one thing was clear: he couldn't kill Caelum.
Even if Caelum promised him freedom—Solen couldn't hurt his soulmate. And that realization cut deeper than anything.
No matter where he went, no matter how far he tried to run, the red string would always tie them together.
His identity as the Hero's fated mate would never be erased. It was a cruel reminder that his destiny had never truly been his.
"No... I don't want to do this!"
Solen tried to pull away, but Caelum's grip tightened on his wrists, veins straining under the pressure. It only made the stranglehold worse.
"Wh-what's wrong? Don't you... hate me that much?"
Caelum's voice cracked, his face turning pale, lips darkening as he gasped for air.
"K-kill me, Sol... I can't live in a world where y-you hate me..."
Tears welled in Caelum's eyes—large, glistening drops that fell like pearls. And seeing them broke Solen further. He could feel Caelum's pain as if it were his own.
"No, I won't! I'm sorry—I never hated you, so please let go of my hands! I don't want you to die and leave me!"
His voice trembled, his eyes full of horror as he tried to let go of his grasp, but Caelum was too strong.
His dark hair fell against Caelum's face, tickling gently.
To Caelum, it felt like the sun itself had been covered by clouds. That light Solen always gave him—it was dimming. And he hated it.
Solen was supposed to shine for him. Always.
Caelum released his hands and pulled Solen into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I won't do it again. So please, don't get scared of me, don't hate me."
He stroked Solen's back as the demon lord collapsed against him, trembling in his arms as he sighed in relief.
He had only meant to bluff with the suicidal act, he merely yearned for Solen to respond differently when seeing him, to say he loved him deeply and cry because he would never be able to kill him.
But he'd gotten carried away—his emotions were too real, too raw, even for him. It felt real. For both of them.
But he had known. Solen could never kill him. He couldn't even hurt him. That was the real reason the demon lord had lost their battle.
Solen was soft, gentle, strong, yes—but vulnerable to Caelum. And he used that like a blade to the throat.
Solen nodded slowly. "I don't... I'll never be able to hate you," he whispered.
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply—his alpha's scent wrapping around him like smoke. Rain-soaked earth, cedarwood, and bergamot.
It calmed him, addicted him. Made him forget everything. And that was why he hated it.
Caelum smiled—softly, sweetly. "I'm sorry for bringing that woman here. I won't let her touch this place again, not if you hate it."
Even with tears still drying on his cheeks, Caelum's voice was lighter now—dangerously so. He'd gotten what he wanted. And when Caelum got what he wanted, he always played nice.
"It's fine... she's your wife," Solen said quietly. His voice was calm, but inside he was shattering.
"Don't be stupid. You crashed the wedding, remember? We're not married yet," Caelum chuckled.
Solen only nodded.
"I'm tired. I want to sleep."
He was exhausted of today, of everything. But as Caelum held him, all those tangled emotions faded into mist.
"Then I'll carry you," Caelum said, face brightening like a puppy.
As he cradled Solen against his chest, Caelum pressed a kiss to his temple—too soft for someone who'd just begged to die.
The storm in his eyes was gone, replaced by something warmer… but no less dangerous. Like a blade hidden in silk.
Caelum then started walking, babbling cheerfully about how blue and beautiful the sky was.
Solen just nodded, eyes blank.
He looked up at Caelum's shining face—lit by sunlight, hair blowing playfully in the wind, arms warm around him.
He loved it when Caelum smiled like this. Loved hearing his excited voice, loved being alone with him. So why did it feel wrong?
Why did he feel so guilty?
Maybe because there was that prophecy…
The world would be destroyed if the Demon Lord wasn't killed by the Hero.
***
When they arrived at their room, Caelum gently laid Solen on the bed before kneeling in front of him. His brow furrowed as he took Solen's foot in his hand.
"You should've worn the slippers I gave you," he muttered, nodding toward the door. "They're right there."
"I didn't see them… I was in a hurry," Solen sighed. "Show me where the bathroom is. I'll wash them."
"Bathroom?" Caelum raised a brow. "We have a whole sky for us—who needs a bathroom?"
Solen stared at him, completely flabbergasted. "I didn't know humans were this disgusting."
Caelum burst out laughing. "I'm kidding! It's on the left wall. Just walk up to it, it'll open on its own."
"But you don't have to clean them, I will do it."
Before Solen could protest, Caelum pulled out a silver handkerchief and began gently wiping the dirt from his feet. The sensation made Solen shiver, his toes curling slightly.
"Ugh, stop—it tickles," he said with a reluctant laugh, grabbing Caelum's shoulder for balance.
"Don't move too much, I'm almost done."
Caelum stayed focused, carefully checking for any scratches or injuries, his touch annoyingly tender.
"Hmph. I should really hire a gardener to fix that ugly path in the garden," he murmured to himself.
That did it—Solen couldn't hold it in anymore. He laughed, squirming and trying to kick Caelum's hands away.
"Hah… I told you to stop. It's not that serious," he said, catching his breath. "Also, I need real clothes. Not this ugly gown you keep making me wear."
"It's not ugly, it's cute on you" Caelum replied, playfully. "Anyway, I'm not finished yet. Give me your foot."
"No—hey!"
Solen yelped as Caelum caught his ankle again, wiping the last bit of dust away with exaggerated care.
"There. Perfect."
Caelum admired his work with a satisfied smile… then leaned down and kissed the top of Solen's foot.
Solen jerked in shock. "S-stop! What are you doing?! That's dirty!"
He reached out and grabbed a handful of Caelum's silver hair, as if that would stop him.
Caelum only smirked. "Don't you know?" he murmured, voice dipping low.
"The most ticklish parts of the body are usually the most sensitive, too."
His smirk deepened, eyes glinting with mischief. "I just wanted to see how sensitive you are… to my kiss."