Chapter Sixty-Six

The cool air of Keiran’s tomb brushes against my skin as we step inside, and the sensation sends a shiver down my spine. Keiran moves to pour us wine, his movements graceful and deliberate. I can’t help but let my eyes wander around the cavernous space, curious about this place he calls home.

The room is much larger than I initially believed. It’s lit with fae lights, casting a soft, ethereal glow that illuminates the vastness of the chamber. As I explore, I realize that it’s not just a bedroom—it’s a network of interconnected caverns.

I walk through the passages, the lights guiding my way, revealing more of the hidden world beneath the mountain. The further I go, the more I feel like I’m stepping into a long-lost court. There are remnants of an ancient civilization here, the architecture grand and imposing, even in its decay.

I find myself overlooking a distant view of flowing lava, its glow casting an amber hue across the cavern walls. The heat is intense, even from afar, and it makes the space feel alive, pulsing with ancient power. I continue walking until I reach a massive open area that resembles what must have been a throne room. The ceiling soars high above, and I can almost hear the echoes of a time when this place was vibrant and full of life.

Suddenly, I feel a presence behind me. Keiran’s shadow looms over me, and I turn to see him standing there, his eyes glinting with amusement. “Enjoying the view?” he asks, his voice low and smooth.

I nod, unable to hide my curiosity. “What is this place?” I ask, turning back to take in the grandness of the room.

“This,” he says, stepping closer, “is a castle beneath the mountain. It belonged to a lost court, long gone before I arrived.”

I’m shocked, my mind racing with questions. “A lost court?”

He nods, a dark smile playing on his lips. “Yes, they vanished ages ago, leaving behind their legacy in these forgotten halls.”

My gaze shifts back to the lava, its glow mesmerizing. Keiran notices my interest and steps to the edge of the cliff, extending his hand to me. “Come with me,” he says, his voice a tantalizing whisper.

I hesitate, the drop to the lava below daunting. “I’m scared,” I admit, my voice barely audible.

He looks at me, his blue eyes piercing through the dim light. “Do you trust me?”

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I reach out and take his hand, the warmth of his skin reassuring. His large black wings unfurl behind him, and I can’t help but admire him—he looks like a mythic god, a dark and beautiful deity with his dark blonde hair and intense gaze.

With a powerful beat of his wings, we take off, soaring over the lava. The heat is overwhelming, but exhilarating, and the sensation of flying with him is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. His warmth on my back, the rush of air against my face, the mesmerizing sight of the molten lava below—it’s all intoxicating.

We descend onto a warm black stone overlooking the lava. The heat from the molten rock below radiates through the stone, creating a cocoon of warmth around us. Keiran turns to me, his eyes dark and intense, and before I can react, his lips are on mine.

The kiss is electric, sending waves of sensation through my body. I can feel the intensity of his desire, the possessiveness in his touch. My body responds instinctively, pressing against him, craving more of his heat.

He pulls back slightly, his breath hot against my skin. “Let me take you,” he murmurs, his voice a seductive growl. “I don’t want it to be any of the others. You’re mine first, before any of them, and they know it.”

I hesitate, the weight of his words sinking in. This is a pivotal moment, a decision that will change everything. But as I look into his eyes, I feel a deep, primal connection to him, a pull that I can’t resist.

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice trembling with anticipation. “Take me.”

Keiran’s eyes darken with satisfaction, and he closes the distance between us, his hands firm and possessive as he claims me as his own.