SHADOWLESS LOVE

The island loomed in the distance, its dark silhouette cutting through the horizon like a jagged wound in the vast expanse of the Northern Pacific. The Abandoned Island. That's what they called it.
From here, it looked untouched, and pristine, its dense canopy of ancient trees masking the truths buried deep within. But I knew better. That island was mine—a fortress of secrets, encircled by a 200-kilometer perimeter of relentless naval patrols.

And at its heart stood the tower.

Zaviar's lab, a steel and glass spire, rose from the greenery like a defiant monolith. Its reflective surface gleamed ominously, catching the sun in sharp, blinding flashes. It was a beacon of control, a warning to anyone foolish enough to challenge its dominion.

From the deck of the Ethereal Majesty, the island seemed deceptively serene. The cruise ship cut through the waves with regal ease, its polished white hull shimmering under the midday sun. Opulence was everywhere here—from the gilded railings to the finely dressed passengers basking in luxury. Yet, amidst all that decadence, my focus remained on her.

Ivelle.

She stood by the railing, her dark curls caught in the salty breeze, her emerald eyes fixed on the distant island. Her posture was as rigid as the steel rail she gripped; her knuckles paled against the metal. The tension in her shoulders betrayed her; no amount of feigned composure could mask it. She was uneasy. Good.

"Why are you bringing me here, Aeron?" Her voice was a blade, sharp and cold.

I smirked, swirling the wine in my glass. The sunlight played tricks with the liquid, turning it into molten fire. "Shouldn't you know your soon-to-be husband's business, Princess?" I drawled, holding the glass out to her mockingly.

She ignored the glass, her eyes narrowing as she turned her gaze back to the island. "You're deflecting," she said, her voice low but steady.

I stepped closer, invading her space with deliberate ease. The heat between us was instantaneous, electric. She stiffened, her body betraying her even as she pretended indifference. I let my free hand trail to the small of her back, a featherlight touch that made her shiver despite herself.

"Am I?" I murmured, my voice dropping an octave. My thumb brushed the curve of her waist, a subtle, possessive stroke that sent a thrill through me. Her breathing hitched, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm she clearly couldn't control.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and... something else.

"Admiring you," I said softly, leaning closer. The scent of her perfume was intoxicating, a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. "You're fascinating, you know. A beautiful fox hiding behind a princess's mask."

Her glare intensified, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she tilted her head up, meeting my gaze head-on. "And you're a predator pretending to be a king," she shot back, her words a challenge.

I laughed, the sound dark and low. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

The space between us was suffocating, charged with an intensity that made my blood hum. I leaned in further, my lips inches from her ear. "Tell me, Princess," I whispered, my breath hot against her skin. "When the fire comes for you, will you run, or will you let it consume you?"

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her emerald eyes were wide, her composure cracking under the weight of whatever storm raged inside her. My gaze dropped to her mouth, and for a fleeting second, I considered closing the distance. Taking what I wanted.

But then she pulled away, her movements abrupt, breaking the spell. "You're insufferable," she muttered, her voice unsteady as she turned back toward the sea.

Before I could respond, Cassian's voice rang out behind us. "We've reached the island."

The moment shattered. She stepped away, the cold mask slipping back over her features. "Let's go," she said briskly, her heels clicking against the polished deck as she walked away.

I watched her retreating figure, my jaw tightening. My grip on the wine glass was too hard, the stem snapping under the pressure. The glass shattered, cutting into my palm. The sharp pain was grounding, pulling me back from the edge.

"You're losing your edge, Aeron Valentino," I muttered to myself.

Cassian appeared at my side, his eyes widening at the sight of my bleeding hand. "What the hell is wrong with you? Your hand…"

"Just bandage it," I snapped, my voice colder than the ocean breeze. He hesitated but didn't argue, pulling out a first-aid kit and getting to work.

As the ship docked and the gangway lowered, the island's towering silhouette loomed closer. I clenched my jaw, forcing my focus onto the task ahead. But even as I stepped onto the island, the feel of her against me and the sound of her voice lingered. And somewhere in the shadows of my mind, Erika's ghost smiled knowingly.