How I Married KING Of HELL

Bound by Darkness

Chapter 43

The chill of the night clung to Emily's skin long after the King of Hell disappeared, his words echoing in her mind. The fires of the camp still flickered, but their warmth felt distant, unable to reach the cold that had settled deep within her bones. She stood frozen, staring into the shadows where he had vanished, her breath shallow and uneven.

"Emily," Cassius called, his voice thick with pain as he staggered to his feet. His sword clattered to the ground, forgotten, as he limped toward her. "What did he say to you?"

She blinked, as though coming out of a trance. Her eyes found Cassius's, filled with concern and confusion, but she couldn't form the words to explain. How could she tell him that she had felt the pull? That some dark part of her had wanted to reach out and take the King of Hell's hand, to give in to the power he promised?

"It's nothing," she muttered, though her voice lacked conviction. "We need to focus on Aelios. He's the priority."

Cassius frowned, but didn't push her further. He knew her well enough to sense when she was holding back, but also knew when to let things be. For now, at least.

"You're right," he said, glancing back toward the tent where Aelios slept. "We need to make sure he stays safe. But whatever that was... it isn't over."

Emily nodded, her mind still reeling. She could feel it, too. This was just the beginning.

They walked back to the tent, Cassius leaning on her slightly, his strength not fully returned. Inside, the soft glow of lanterns cast long shadows on the canvas walls. Aelios was still asleep, his small face peaceful, unaware of the danger that lurked outside. Emily knelt beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, her heart aching with love and fear.

She had fought so hard to protect him, to keep him safe from the darkness that threatened to consume their world. But now, the darkness had come for her.

"What did he mean, Emily?" Cassius's voice broke the silence. "About you... belonging to him?"

Emily stiffened. The question she had been dreading. She hadn't even fully processed it herself, but now, with Cassius watching her, she felt the weight of the truth press down on her shoulders.

"I don't know," she whispered, though deep down, she did. The pull she had felt wasn't just a random connection. It was something ancient, something tied to her very soul. She had always known there was more to her, something she couldn't quite understand. And now, the King of Hell had given it a name.

Destiny.

Cassius sat beside her, his expression hard to read. He reached for her hand, his grip warm and reassuring, a stark contrast to the cold fear that gnawed at her insides.

"We'll figure this out," he said softly. "You don't have to face this alone."

Emily looked at him, her heart swelling with gratitude, but also guilt. Cassius had stood by her through everything—through battles and betrayals, through victories and losses. But this... this was different. This was a battle for her very soul, and she wasn't sure if even his strength could save her.

"I'm scared," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Cassius squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with determination. "I won't let him take you, Emily. No matter what it takes."

But as much as she wanted to believe him, Emily knew that the battle ahead wasn't one that could be fought with swords and shields. This was a war of will, of heart—and the darkness was already inside her.

The night dragged on, heavy and endless, as Emily sat by Aelios's side, lost in thought. The King of Hell's voice echoed in her mind, each word twisting like a dagger in her chest.

You cannot resist me forever.

She wanted to fight it, to reject everything he represented, but the truth was undeniable. She felt the bond. It was like a thread connecting her to the underworld, tugging at her soul, pulling her toward a fate she had never imagined.

As dawn approached, the sky slowly brightened, casting a soft, pink glow over the camp. But even in the light of the new day, the darkness within her remained.

"Emily," Cassius's voice broke through her thoughts again. He stood at the entrance of the tent, his silhouette dark against the morning light. "We need to talk about what's next."

She stood, her legs heavy with exhaustion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he said, stepping closer, "what's the plan? He's not going to stop coming for you. We need to find a way to break whatever connection he thinks you have."

Emily's heart sank. She knew Cassius was right, but the truth was, she wasn't sure if the connection could be broken. It felt too strong, too ingrained in her very being.

But she couldn't give in. Not yet.

"We'll find a way," she said, though her voice lacked confidence. "There has to be something we can do."

Cassius studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed in concern. "And if there isn't?"

Emily met his gaze, her heart aching with the weight of his question. If there wasn't a way to break the bond... what then? Would she be forced to accept her fate? To become the Queen of Hell?

"I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "But I can't let him take me. Not while Aelios still needs me."

Cassius nodded, though the uncertainty in his eyes mirrored her own. "Then we'll fight," he said, his voice steady. "No matter what it takes."

Emily nodded, though the dread in her chest only deepened. She wanted to believe that they could fight this, that they could win. But the truth was, she didn't know if she had the strength to resist the pull of the darkness.

And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its golden light over the camp, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that her fate was already sealed. The King of Hell had claimed her, and no matter how hard she fought, the bond between them would only grow stronger.

The darkness was coming for her—and this time, there might be no escape.