The air in the chamber had shifted. No longer thick with lust, but heavier with something more intimate—something far more dangerous.
Reika lay still, her usually guarded face softened, but not undone. Her fingers slowly moved over her own skin, tracing the goosebumps Renji had left behind, as if trying to understand what had just happened to her. A queen reduced to gasps. A warrior left breathless. She hadn't expected it. She hadn't expected him.
Renji sat beside her, leaning against the wall, watching her with quiet intensity. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, but his mind was miles away—back to the girl Velahza had killed in the streets. To the soul tortured during dinner. To Seraphina's warning of trials. And now… to Reika, this enigma wrapped in a red mask and tangled silks, whom he'd just claimed like a prize.
He broke the silence, voice low. "You didn't resist."
Reika blinked, staring up at the ceiling, her expression unreadable. "I didn't want to."
A beat passed. Then she added, "But I'm not yours, Renji. Not truly."
He smirked, but there was a trace of bitterness in it. "You say that… after all that?"
She turned her head, locking eyes with him. "What we did… it was a release. Nothing more."
He leaned closer. "Then why are you trembling?"
Her lips parted, but she said nothing.
Renji stood and picked up his coat, throwing it over his shoulder. "I'll see you at the court."
As he left the room, Reika sat up, clutching the robe tighter around her. A storm had been stirred inside her—and she hated that it had his name carved into it.
Outside, Renji's eyes flicked toward the moon.
He wasn't just here for passion.
He was here to conquer.
The veil had lifted and now Renji was standing alone in the grand corridors. He went outside and saw Mira and Zach sitting in the Royal chariot and waiting for him. He didn't said anything and went with them. His mind was still racing by the thoughts of all the things that happened inside the Blood Moon Veil.
Renji didn't noticed but by the time he was busy with his tangled memories, they arrived at the palace court of Salzahar.
The grand court of Salzahar shimmered in golden hues, its high arches adorned with divine relics and battle-torn banners. Incense smoke curled through the marble columns like writhing serpents, and the noble ministers sat cloaked in silk and arrogance, whispering behind jewel-studded fans.
King Caelion sat sprawled across his throne as if it were a lounge chair, one leg tossed over the armrest, swirling golden wine in his goblet. Beside him, Zach stood tall, his expression unreadable as always, but his silver eyes watched everything with deadly calculation.
Velahza knelt below Caelion's throne, dressed in ceremonial silks, her demeanor demure, almost obedient—but Renji knew better. That woman was fire wrapped in submission.
Renji and Mira were seated near the center, small thrones carved with ancient runes. Mira looked restless, her tail flicking. Renji? Calm. Composed. The storm inside him now focused into a blade.
Caelion's voice rang out with that ever-so-casual arrogance. "So, my charming little guests, it seems you wish to raid the Blood Moon Clan. Again. You people really don't learn."
Zach's eyes narrowed. "They're not just pests anymore, Caelion. They've claimed a fourth of the Exile System. They're growing."
Renji rose from his seat, arms folded. "And they've started hunting awakened souls. Torturing the dead. That's not power. That's corruption."
Velahza's eyes flicked to him with interest.
Caelion tilted his head, amused. "So? You want a war party? I assume you'll lead it?"
Renji smirked. "Not just lead it. I'll be the blade that ends them."
Zach stepped forward. "We'll need an elite strike force—no armies. Fast, lethal, and under the radar. The Blood Moon Clan has spies everywhere."
Velahza stood. "Then you'll need sanctuary clearance. And me. I know their outer territories."
Mira scoffed. "You sure you're not going to betray us mid-raid, Your Grace?"
Velahza chuckled. "Only if I'm bored."
Caelion clapped his hands. "Then it's settled. At dawn, you ride.", he leaned forward, grin widening, "And if you die, at least do it with some style."
=======================================
The torches burned low in the silent courtyard, casting long shadows over the obsidian stones. Horses were saddled, weapons polished, and armor laced—yet no one spoke much. The silence before bloodshed had a weight all its own.
Renji stood under the twisted branches of an ancient moon-elm, its silver leaves trembling. His blade was sheathed, but his thoughts were unsheathed chaos.
Velahza approached, wrapped in black leather armor gilded in crimson thread. Her golden hair tied in a war braid. No ornaments. No drama. Just focus.
"You should be resting," she said, stopping beside him.
"I can't," Renji replied. "It's too quiet. It feels… like the world is waiting to break."
She looked at him with an odd softness. "The world broke long before we arrived, Renji."
He glanced at her. "Do you ever regret it? Being here, with them? Letting Caelion own your name, your body… your soul?"
Velahza didn't respond right away. Then, with a slow breath, she said, "Sometimes. But not tonight."
He turned fully to her. "Why not tonight?"
She smiled—cold, tragic, and alluring. "Because tonight, I feel like something's changing. And if the world breaks again, I want to be the one holding the hammer."
Before he could reply, Mira stomped in, cloak fluttering, dual daggers strapped to her thighs. "Zach's calling us. Strategy meeting. And don't flirt, you two. I can smell the tension."
Velahza raised a brow. "Jealous, fox girl?"
Mira rolled her eyes. "Please. I just don't want to deal with your broken-heart drama if you die out there."
Zach was already waiting at the war table, a map of the southern regions spread open. Red markers. Blue sigils. And a black circle—Blood Moon Clan.
Renji's eyes darkened. "We hit their heart. We go straight for the Black Spire."
Zach nodded. "We do it fast. No warnings. No survivors."
Velahza licked her lips. "Now that sounds fun."