Chapter 73: chapter 73

Amelia ran blindly through the moonlit balcony that wrapped around the castle’s upper floor. Her breath came in sharp, panicked bursts as her bare feet slapped against the cold marble. The wind tangled in her hair, but she didn’t dare stop. She chanced a look over her shoulder—and her blood ran cold.He was faster than her.In a blur of movement, the man caught up, wrapping strong arms around her from behind. Before she could even scream properly, he leapt.With her in his grasp, he soared off the balcony.Amelia’s scream tore through the silence of the night, echoing like a banshee's wail across the vast stone courtyard. Amelia realized the man was none other than Ivar. Her eyes widened, breath catching in her throat.“Ivar…” she whispered.Felix, who had been heading toward the royal wing, rushed to the balcony just in time to see it. His eyes widened in disbelief. A figure, cloaked in black, with wide, dark wings outstretched, was carrying Amelia through the sky—like some celestial thief fleeing with a treasure.He stood frozen, awe and horror battling within him.Amelia felt the wind rushing past her face, tugging at her gown and hair as they flew through the night sky. Her pulse roared in her ears until, gradually, the motion slowed. The world below became clearer as they descended.They landed in a quiet meadow bathed in soft moonlight, far from the castle’s reach. Wildflowers danced in the breeze, their petals glowing pale under the stars. The scent of grass and blooming lavender wrapped gently around her.The moment her feet touched the earth, Amelia turned to face him.He stood before her, his dark hair tousled by flight, his expression unreadable.For a heartbeat, neither spoke. Then a small, disbelieving smile tugged at her lips—just a flicker of emotion—before realization came crashing down.Her face hardened.“Do you even realize what you just did?” she snapped.A smirk curled at the corner of Ivar’s mouth. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”He stepped forward, closing the space between them in a breath. His hands gently cupped her face. Before Amelia could react, his lips found hers in a desperate, lingering kiss.Everything happened too fast.Stunned, Amelia froze for a moment—then shoved him back.“No,” she breathed, voice shaking. “We can’t do this.”Ivar’s smile faded. Shadows crept into his eyes.“Why not?” he demanded softly. “I love you. And you love me… don’t you?”Amelia hesitated.He watched her closely. “Or has that changed?”She turned away, fighting the storm in her chest. “Everything’s changed, Ivar. I’m… I’m about to marry the king.”“You can’t be serious.” His voice darkened. Ivar took a step forward, voice rough with desperation. “Don’t go back to him. I know you don’t want this—I see it in your eyes. I can’t let you walk back into his cage.”“Take me back to the castle right now,” she ordered. "How did you even know I’d be in the kitchen?" She muttered under her breath.He didn’t move. “Fine. But answer me first… Do you love him?”Her gaze fell to the ground. “I don’t want to discuss my personal life with you.”His voice turned sharp, insistent. “Just tell me—do you love him or not?”“Stop talking nonsense,” she snapped. “If I marry him, I become queen. Who wouldn’t want that?”Ivar’s jaw clenched. “Why can’t you answer a simple question?”She remained silent, and that silence was louder than any scream.He stepped closer again, eyes burning into hers. “You can’t lie to me, Amelia. I know you. You don’t love him. And I know he’s forcing you into this marriage. As long as I’m breathing, I won’t let that happen.”Amelia’s voice cracked with fury. “No! You know nothing! Because of your recklessness, people’s lives are now in danger! Take me back. Now!”She turned sharply and started to walk away, tears prickling her eyes.But Ivar caught her wrist."Say you love me, damn it... just say it, you foolish girl," he pleaded, his voice raw with desperation.She twisted in his grasp. “Ivar, stop this madness!”He pulled her against his chest, lowering his voice to a whisper. “You’re mine, Amelia. And I’ll kill every last one of them who tries to take you away from me.”She trembled in his arms as he let her go.“I know the consequences,” he said, eyes blazing. “I will send that bastard king to hell to join his father. I swear it.”“No!” she shouted, stepping in front of him. “You’ll do no such thing! You promise me now..”"Don’t ask me to make a promise I won’t keep. I will kill him—no matter what.""Amelia grabbed his arms, desperation in her voice. “Please, don’t destroy yourself for me. You have your own world, your own people who love you. Don’t throw everything away for something that can’t be.”Ivar chuckled darkly. “It’s too late. I passed that point long ago.”Amelia's eyes dropped to his arms — the fabric there was soaked in blood. She quickly took his hand and began removing the torn clothing. The wound was deep, and it looked burned. Her chest tightened. This was her doing.She suddenly remembered — he couldn’t touch iron. It burned him.“Does it hurt?” she asked softly.Ivar chuckled, his voice low. “No… not as much as your words are hurting me right now."“Don’t be so stubborn,” she said, voice softening. “Take me back to the castle.”He smiled faintly. “okay I will. Come.”He opened his arms, motioning for her to come closer.Amelia raised a brow. “No thanks. I’ll walk.”His smirk returned. “Then you’ll arrive by dawn. That bastard king might spot you. And everyone will assume you spent the night in a meadow… with the winged man.”He laughed.Amelia sighed, defeated. “Fine. Take me then.”He extended his hand, and she, reluctantly, placed hers in it.Ivar pulled her gently into his arms, his wings stretching wide with a soft rustle. The meadow stirred once more as he rose into the sky, cradling Amelia against him. She didn’t meet his eyes. Her head was turned to the side, watching the stars blur past them, but her thoughts churned faster than the wind.Neither of them spoke. The silence between them was loud—filled with everything they wanted to say but couldn’t.The castle soon emerged from the horizon like a slumbering beast beneath the moonlight, its towers silvered in quiet elegance. Ivar flew low, avoiding the guard towers and their torches. He landed behind the eastern wall, near the old stable courtyard, a place mostly abandoned at night.He lowered Amelia to the ground.She stepped back immediately, fixing her dress and brushing her hair behind her ears. She didn’t look at him—just turned away in silence.“Amelia…” Ivar called softly, his voice low and strained.She didn’t turn back. Instead, she began to walk away. “Don’t follow me inside,” she said sharply, her tone cold and commanding.He stood still, eyes blazing. “If he lays a hand on you—if he tries to force you—I swear, I’ll tear him apart piece by piece until he begs for death. So if you want to save your precious king… stay away from him.”She halted mid-step, a breath catching in her throat. Slowly, she turned to face him. Her gaze met his—steady, unwavering. Her voice came quiet but firm. “You can’t keep doing this, Ivar.”A faint smirk tugged at his lips, though his eyes held a deeper weight. “And I can’t seem to stop.”“I’ll find my own way from here,” she said at last.He nodded silently.She turned and walked toward the side entrance, heart pounding, knowing what kind of storm her return would stir.