Eclipse Love

The clearing was silent, except for the distant rustling of leaves in the wind. The night pressed down, thick with tension. Selene stood frozen, her pulse hammering against her ribs as Vale's golden eyes bore into hers.

This was it.

Lucian stood protectively at her side, his fingers curled tightly around his dagger. Darius and Astrid flanked them, weapons drawn. But none of them moved.

Because they all knew—

Vale wasn't here for a fight.

Not yet.

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "Selene," he murmured, his voice like silk laced with poison. "It's time."

Selene's fingers curled into fists. "Time for what?"

Vale's golden gaze flickered to Lucian. "For you to choose."

Lucian tensed. "I told you before, Vale—she's not yours."

Vale chuckled, shaking his head. "I think you misunderstand, dear Lucian." His gaze returned to Selene, a twisted amusement dancing in his eyes. "She doesn't have to choose me." He took a step closer, his voice dropping lower. "She just has to choose to live."

Selene's stomach twisted. "What are you talking about?"

Vale tilted his head. "You don't think I came all this way just to ask nicely, do you?" He sighed dramatically. "No, no, I came prepared."

At his signal, shadows shifted between the trees—movement so fast it barely registered before—

Thud.

Something heavy hit the ground.

Selene's breath hitched.

A body lay motionless at Vale's feet.

Ansel.

His face was bloodied, his dark hair matted with dirt. Bruises bloomed across his skin, and his wrists were bound with iron chains.

Selene's entire body went rigid. "What did you do?"

Vale smirked. "I simply collected a little insurance."

Ansel groaned, barely conscious. His eyelids fluttered, and his voice was hoarse. "Selene… don't…"

Lucian lunged forward, but Vale snapped his fingers—

And suddenly, the shadows tightened around Ansel's throat.

Ansel choked, his body convulsing. The chains around his wrists glowed, pulsing with dark magic.

Selene's heart stopped.

"Stop it!" she shouted.

Vale raised a brow. "Then choose."

Lucian's eyes flashed with fury. "Vale, you son of a—"

"You can fight me all you want, Lucian," Vale cut in, his voice smooth and patient, as if this was nothing more than a casual discussion. "But if you do, he dies." He gestured toward Ansel. "And let's not pretend that you can save him before my magic crushes his throat."

Selene couldn't breathe.

Vale's golden gaze locked onto her, and suddenly, the world narrowed.

"This is how it ends, Selene," Vale murmured. "Either you come with me willingly… or I kill him."

A Silent Battle

Selene's mind raced.

This was exactly what Astrid had warned her about.

Vale had never intended to take her by force—he had known that would only make her fight harder. Instead, he was forcing her into a corner, making her believe she had no choice.

And damn him, it was working.

Her eyes flickered to Ansel.

He was barely holding on, his chest rising and falling too shallowly.

If she fought Vale now, he wouldn't survive.

Lucian's fingers tightened around his dagger. His entire body was coiled with fury, ready to strike, but he hesitated. He knew, just as she did, that any wrong move would mean Ansel's death.

Darius muttered a curse under his breath. Astrid's grip on her blade was white-knuckled.

They were trapped.

Selene turned back to Vale. "And if I go with you?" she asked, her voice deceptively calm.

Vale's smirk widened. "Then he lives. You have my word."

Lucian stiffened. "And you expect us to believe that?"

Vale chuckled. "Believe it or not, I have no interest in killing Ansel. His only purpose was to ensure Selene makes the right choice." His gaze flickered back to her. "So, my love, what will it be?"

Selene's nails dug into her palms. Think. Think.

She knew what Vale wanted—to separate her from Lucian, to get her alone. If she went with him, she had no guarantee she'd ever see Lucian again.

But if she refused—

Her eyes landed on Ansel, whose body trembled against the weight of the shadows strangling him.

She couldn't let him die.

Lucian must have seen the moment her resolve shifted because his hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. "Selene, don't." His voice was low, almost desperate.

She met his gaze, and her chest ached.

"I have to," she whispered.

Lucian shook his head. "No, you don't. We'll find another way—"

"We don't have time, Lucian!" Her voice broke.

Lucian's grip tightened. "Then I'll come with you."

Vale laughed. "How sweet. But no. This is her choice alone."

Selene swallowed the lump in her throat. She turned to Lucian, stepping closer. Their faces were inches apart.

"I'll find a way back to you," she whispered.

Lucian's jaw clenched. "Selene—"

But before he could finish, she kissed him.

Hard.

Deep.

Pouring every emotion into it—every promise, every unspoken vow.

Then she pulled away, her fingers lingering against his cheek for a fraction of a second before she turned.

And walked toward Vale.

The Deal is Sealed

The moment she reached him, the shadows around Ansel released, sending him gasping to the ground. Darius and Astrid rushed to him, pulling him back as his body shuddered from the aftershocks of the dark magic.

Lucian took a step forward, pure fury radiating from him. "Selene—"

But Vale moved faster.

He grasped Selene's wrist, and the world twisted.

Darkness swallowed them whole.

The last thing Selene saw was Lucian's silver eyes filled with raw desperation, his hand reaching for her—

Then everything vanished.

A Prison of Gold and Shadows

Selene's feet touched solid ground, but the air around her was thick and suffocating, heavy with magic. The shift in surroundings made her stagger, but Vale's grip on her wrist tightened, keeping her upright.

The scent of cold metal and ancient power coiled around her as she blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden change.

They weren't in the forest anymore.

They were in a throne room—vast, regal, and bathed in golden torchlight. Dark marble walls stretched high into the shadows, their surfaces lined with intricate carvings of battles and creatures she didn't recognize. At the center of the room stood a grand, obsidian throne.

It was beautiful, but there was no warmth here.

No comfort.

Selene shivered.

Vale released her wrist and took a step back, watching her with an unsettling calmness.

She forced herself to stand tall, meeting his gaze without fear.

"Where are we?" she asked.

Vale smirked. "Welcome, my love, to my kingdom."

Selene's stomach twisted. "Your kingdom?"

Vale swept a hand around the throne room. "This is the heart of my domain. A realm separate from yours. Here, time bends to my will." His gaze darkened. "And so do you."

Selene's blood ran cold.

She clenched her fists, refusing to let fear take hold. "I don't belong to you, Vale."

Vale chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming. "Perhaps not yet. But you will."

Selene's pulse hammered, but she kept her voice steady. "Why go through all of this? You could have killed Lucian long ago. You could have taken me by force."

Vale's smirk faded slightly. "Because I don't want a prisoner, Selene. I want a queen."

Selene's breath caught.

Vale took a step closer, his voice lowering to a whisper. "You are more than what you think you are. There is a power inside you, one that even Lucian doesn't understand. One that has always been meant for me."

Selene's mind spun. What power? Was this another one of his mind games?

She lifted her chin. "I will never be yours, Vale."

Vale sighed, almost as if he expected her defiance. "I admire your strength. But let's be clear, my love—" He reached out, his fingers trailing lightly along her cheek.

Selene jerked back, disgust curling in her stomach.

Vale only smiled. "You came willingly. And now, you are mine."

Selene's heart pounded.

She had done this to save Ansel, to keep Lucian from throwing himself into a death trap.

But now—she was alone.

And Vale had no intention of letting her go.

The Moonlit Escape

Hours passed, or maybe longer. The timelessness of this place made it impossible to tell.

Selene had been taken to a lavish chamber, far too luxurious for a prisoner—but that's what she was.

She paced along the room, her mind racing for a way out. The windows were tall, opening to a vast endless abyss of night, no land in sight. Magic pulsed through the walls, keeping her trapped.

Still, she had to try.

Selene closed her eyes, reaching for the connection she shared with Lucian.

Please. Feel me. Find me.

Nothing.

Only silence.

A knot formed in her throat, but she shoved down the despair. Lucian wouldn't stop searching for her. And she wouldn't just wait to be saved.

She needed to act.

Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.

Selene froze, her body tensing as the door creaked open.

A figure stepped inside—a woman, dressed in deep blue robes, her violet eyes full of conflict.

Selene recognized her instantly.

Eris. Vale's advisor.

Selene narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"

Eris glanced behind her before stepping closer. "You need to leave. Now."

Selene's heart skipped. "What?"

Eris lowered her voice. "I don't have time to explain. I can get you out of here—but you need to trust me."

Selene studied her, suspicion warring with hope. "Why would you help me?"

Eris exhaled sharply. "Because you don't belong here. And because if you stay, Vale will break you."

A chill ran down Selene's spine.

Eris reached into her robes and pulled out a small silver key, pressing it into Selene's hand.

"This will unlock the western passage," she whispered. "It will take you beyond the wards."

Selene's fingers curled around the key. "And then what?"

Eris hesitated. "Then you run."

Selene's breath shallowed.

This was her chance.

But she had to be careful.

If Vale caught her—

She didn't let herself finish that thought.

Instead, she nodded. "Tell me where to go."

Eris glanced at the door. "Hurry."

And with that, the escape began.

End of Chapter Twenty