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CHAPTER 34 - INTO THE LIGHT



Castle Xanthe City of Aphelion, Wolfen Territory The Realm of Xathos



Ailara woke with a soft start, the quiet hum of the castle the only sound breaking the stillness of the room. Her body ached, each muscle tender and stretched from days of unrelenting passion. And yet, she felt... satisfied. Sated.

She turned her head to find Dimitrios beside her, his massive form sprawled across the bed of furs. His dark hair was a mess, the wild strands falling into his eyes as he slept. The weight of the past few days was etched into every inch of him, yet even in slumber, he radiated power. Ailara's gaze lingered on his broad chest, rising and falling with steady breaths, and the faint curve of his lips that softened his otherwise stern features.

The sight of him tugged at something deep inside her, a pull she didn't know how to define.

Slipping quietly from the bed, she winced at the soreness in her legs. Each step brought a fresh reminder of the intensity they had shared, and her cheeks flamed as fragmented memories flitted through her mind. She padded across the room, her bare feet cool against the stone floor, and paused near the heavy drapes that shielded the room from sunlight.

Drawing the curtain back slightly, she peered into the daylight. The golden hues of the late morning sun bathed the courtyard below, making the world seem almost untouched by the turmoil that had consumed them. She rested her hand on the window frame, her fingers brushing the cold stone as a faint longing stirred within her.

She felt... torn. The past few days had been pure bliss—an escape from reality where she had discovered not just Dimitrios' body but his soul. She knew him better now, and trusted him more. He had shown her sides of himself she hadn't expected: tender, playful, possessive.

But now that the haze of the heat had lifted, doubts crept back in. Dimitrios believed they were true mates, but could she let herself believe it? Or was it simply a convenient belief born of passion, one that might fade once the world pressed in on them again?

Ailara sighed and turned back to the room. True mates. The words echoed in her mind, a blend of hope and disbelief. Vampyr legends spoke of such bonds—the unbreakable ties that would make two stronger together than apart. But she had always thought they were just that: legends.

A soft rustle broke her thoughts, and she turned to see Dimitrios stirring.

He blinked slowly, his piercing grey eyes locking onto her as if drawn by instinct. His gaze was heavy, intense, and Ailara felt her breath hitch under the weight of it.

"You're awake," she murmured.

Dimitrios inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as he sat up, his powerful form towering even in the stillness of the room. "Your scent," he said, his voice rough from sleep. "It's changed."

Ailara frowned. "Changed? How?"

He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and rose, his movements fluid and predatory. In just a few steps, he was in front of her, his sheer size making her feel small and caged in the best possible way.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he bent his head to the curve of her neck and inhaled deeply. His warm breath sent shivers racing down her spine. "It's different," he murmured, his lips brushing against her skin. "Richer. Deeper. I like it."

Ailara flushed, unsure of what to say. The intimacy of the moment stole her words, and all she could do was let herself lean into him.

He kissed her neck softly before pulling away. "I'll bathe," he said, his voice low. "There are things I need to tend to after being gone so long, but I'll return by dinner."

She nodded, watching as he disappeared into the adjoining chamber. So he felt it too. The heat was truly gone.

The sound of water splashing echoed faintly, and she exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

After Dimitrios left, Ailara drew her own bath. The warm water soothed her sore muscles, and for a time, she let herself relax. Maids came and went, drying her hair, tidying the room, and arranging her gown for the day.

Once ready, she decided to take a walk. Her legs still ached, each step a reminder of the past days' intensity, but she welcomed the ache. It was a grounding force, a connection to something real amidst the swirl of emotions that threatened to consume her.

The castle was quiet, the halls empty save for the occasional servant scurrying about. Ailara's steps carried her to the upper floors, where the windows overlooked the courtyard below. She paused by one of them, her gaze drawn to the sunlight streaming through the glass.

The light was so inviting, so warm. She raised a hand to the window, her fingers pressing against the cool glass as a familiar longing stirred within her. Her kind had always been drawn to the sun. It was more of curiosity with something they couldn't have.

Today, it felt more. Rather than a curious want, feeling the sun on her skin became a blazing need.







Dimitrios stood in the courtyard, Argus by his side. His Beta was briefing him on the events of the past week, the words coming fast and steady, but Dimitrios found his focus wavering.

And then it happened—a sudden jolt of heat flooded his veins, sharp and all-consuming. His instincts screamed at him, and his head snapped up.

It was Ailara.

He saw her through the window, her pale skin bathed in the faint light filtering through the glass. Her eyes were closed, her face tilted toward the sun as though she could feel its warmth despite the barrier between them.

"Ailara, no!" he shouted, his voice a roar that echoed through the courtyard. He was already moving, his legs carrying him toward the castle entrance with inhuman speed.

But he wouldn't make it in time.

His heart pounded as he watched her take a step closer to the window. The sunlight grew brighter, stronger, and then she stepped into it.

Time seemed to stop.

Ailara stood in the full embrace of the sun, her golden hair catching the light and glowing like a halo. Her electric blue eyes opened, wide with shock and wonder as the warmth touched her skin.

She didn't burn.

Dimitrios skidded to a halt just beneath her window, his breath caught in his throat. She was radiant, the sunlight highlighting every delicate feature of her face. He watched as she raised her hands, staring at them as though expecting them to blister, but there was nothing. No flames. No pain.

And then her gaze found his.

"Your majesty!" someone shouted from the courtyard. And then there was a collective gasp. Both Vampyr and Wolfen looked on as their queen stepped into the sun. They all watched as her skin didn't catch fire and her blonde hair glowed under the sunlight.

Dimitrios took the stairs two at a time, his massive frame moving with a speed that belied his size. When he reached her, she was still basking in the warmth of the sun, enjoying it for the first time.

"Ailara," he said.

She turned to him, her eyes wide and glassy. "I don't understand," she whispered. "The sun... it didn't hurt me."

Without thinking, he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, holding her as though afraid she might disappear. "Ailara," he murmured, his voice thick with awe. "I don't know what this means but we'll find answers."

She shook her head, her hands clutching his shirt as though he were her anchor.

He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his piercing grey eyes filled with a mixture of wonder and conviction.

Ailara's breath hitched, her mind racing. "My true mate. This... this is the work of the gods. Our own legends say that only Vampyr true mates can walk in the sun."

Dimitrios cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the tears she didn't realize had fallen. "I don't just believe it, Ailara. I know it. The signs have been there all along. And now, this..." He gestured toward the sunlight streaming through the window. "This is proof."

A faint smile tugged at his lips, and he bent to press a lingering kiss to her forehead. In that moment, the world outside the room faded away, leaving only the two of them and the bond that now felt unbreakable.



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Notes:

More chapters are available on Inkitt and Patreon. Chapter 43 - Monster in the Dark also posted today.

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