Forbidden Mate Legacy

Her fingers dipped into the absentmindedly, drawing lazy patterns on the surface. It was peaceful here–far from the Academy's rigid walls, away from the watchful eyes of the nobles and looming weight of expectation. This place had always been her escape, a sanctuary.

But tonight, it didn't feel safe.

A shiver crawled down her spine. It wasn't from the cold.

Amelia's head snapped up, her senses prickling. The trees beyond the clearing stood tall and unmoving, yet the air felt charged–like something, or someone, was there. Watching. 

She rose to her feet slowly, every muscle tensed. "Who's there?" Her voice is firm, but inside she is terrified.

Silence.

Then– 

A shadow moved.

She barely had time to react before a figure stepped into the moonlight. Tall, poised, and entirely too familiar.

Kael 

The Dark Prince stood with his usual composed indifference, his piercing grey eyes glinting in the darkness. He wasn't wearing his usual gothic black clothes, but just a grey loose T-shirt and black trouser, his presence as effortlessly commanding as ever.

Amelia scowled, crossing her arms. "Are you following me now?"

Kael's lips curved into an infuriating smirk. "Hardly. If anything, you're the one sneaking around." His gaze flickered to the before settling back on her. "Couldn't sleep, Little flame?"

Her stomach tightened at the nickname. He always called her that with that smug, knowing tone, like he was enjoying riling her up.

"Not that it's any of your business," she muttered, turning away. "What are you doing here?"

Kael took a slow step closer, his boots barely making a sound against the grass. "I could ask you the same thing. Academy rules don't exactly allow late-night strolls."

Amelia rolled her eyes. "Like you care about rules."

He chuckled, low and smooth. "Fair point."

A tense silence settled between them. For a moment, Amelia thought he might just leave. But instead, Kael moved past her, crouching by the waters edge.

"You look… unsettled," he remarked casually, dipping his fingers into the lake as if testing the temperature.

She stiffened. "I'm fine."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Liar."

Her jaw clenched. "Why do you care?"

Kael's smirk faltered slightly, his gaze on the water. "I don't." His voice lacked its usual sharpness.

Amelia wasn't sure why it irritated her more.

She sighed, rubbing her arms. The dream was still fresh in her mind lingering like an unspoken warning. She didn't want to think about it–especially not in front of him.

"So," Kael said, breaking the silence, "Was it a nightmare?"

Her head snapped up. "What?"

His grey eyes darkened under the moonlight. "You looked pale when I found you. And you are unusually quiet, that's so unlikely of you. Little flame."

Amelia hated how easily he could read her. She hated that it made her feel seen. "Just a stupid dream," she muttered, looking away. "nothing important."

Kael hummed, unconvinced. "Dreams have a funny way of meaning more than we think."

She frowned at his tone. "Speaking from experience?"

Something flickered in his expression–just for a second. Then it was gone, replaced by his usual mask of indifference.

"You should head back," he said instead, standing up. "before someone actually catches you."

Amelia scoffed. "And what about you?"

Kael smiled. "I don't get caught."

Of course he didn't. Arrogant Demon.

Still, despite her irritation, she found herself hesitating. Her instinct told her that leaving now, returning to her quarter alone, would only bring back the weight of her dream.

Kael seemed to notice. He studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Come on."

She blinked. "What?"

He nodded towards the Academy. "I will walk you back."

Amelia's lips parted in surprise. "Since when do you play escort?"

His smirk returned, but it was softer this time. "Since you started looking like a lost little cub in the middle of the night."

Her face burned. Damn him.

She said nothing, letting him take the lead.

As they walked back, the night air was cooler, calmer. And though Amelia would never admit it, for the first time since waking from that dream, she felt little less alone.

She found herself stealing glances at Kael. There was something different about him tonight. He wasn't teasing her as much, nor did he seem as guarded as usual. Instead, he walked beside her with an almost lazy confidence, his hands tucked behind his back, as if he had all the time in the world.

"So," Kael finally spoke, breaking the silence. "Are you going to tell me what the dream was about?"

Amelia scoffed. "No."

His lips twitched in amusement. "That bad?"

She hesitated. "It was…. Strange."

Kael raised an eyebrow but didn't press. Instead, he watched her, his gaze sharp yet unreadable. "Strange things tend to follow you. Little flame."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue. He wasn't wrong.

As they neared the Academy's entrance, Kael suddenly stopped. Amelia turned, frowning. "What?"

He was staring past her, his expression darkening slightly. "I have a feeling that things are about to get complicated," he murmured.

Amelia followed his gaze, but she saw nothing–just the Academy's looming gates, dimly lit by torches.

A chill ran through her.

"Then we should be ready," she said, meeting his gaze. 

Kael smirked. "We?." 

She huffed. "Don't get used to it."

His chuckle was soft, genuine. "Too late."

"Well, you are—." she was cut

"I know what you want to say…" Kael said.

With that they sneaked together.