The air in the room was a knife.
Aurelia stood between her brothers and the devil's son — chest rising, heart pounding.
Ren's hands were clenched, glowing faintly with old magic.
Aero looked at her like she was possessed.
"You're protecting him?" Aero's voice cracked with disbelief.
"I'm protecting me," Aurelia snapped, voice stronger than either brother had ever heard.
The devil's son smirked behind her.
"Seems your little wolf isn't so little anymore."
Ren's eyes flared. "Say that again. I dare you."
Tessa appeared in the doorway like a phantom.
"My Lady," she said, calm but stern, "you need to rest."
Aurelia nodded, not moving. "I will. Once they leave."
Ren stared at her like he didn't recognize her anymore.
Aero's voice was quieter. Hurt.
"Lia… who is he to you?"
Aurelia turned to the devil's son — who met her gaze without blinking.
He didn't speak.
Neither did she.
But the answer hung thick between them like smoke.
Mine.
After they left…
The brothers stormed into the Duke's chamber, fury in their bones.
"She's bonded to him," Ren growled. "I saw it in her eyes."
"She doesn't even remember how," Aero added. "This isn't safe."
Duke Darius Nightbloom stared at the fire, jaw locked.
"She was bonded to him once," he said finally.
Ren blinked. "What?"
Darius turned. "Before she died. Before I brought her back."
A heavy silence.
"You mean…" Aero whispered, "she died because of him?"
"No." The Duke's voice was gravel. "She died for him."
Meanwhile… in Aurelia's room…
He sat on the edge of her bed.
Close, too close.
"You remembered more tonight," he murmured, brushing her knuckles with his thumb.
"I didn't try to," she whispered.
"But your soul did." His voice was velvet and fire.
He leaned closer.
"You were mine once. That bond doesn't break just because you died."
Aurelia's breath caught. "What are you going to do?"
He smiled — wicked and sad all at once.
"Win you again."
Elsewhere… in the garden shadows…
Mireya was speaking to a raven.
No, not a raven — a cursed familiar, its feathers blacker than pitch.
"She's remembering him," she seethed.
"He's drawing her back in. But she's still weak."
She held out her hand. The raven dropped a glimmering vial into her palm.
A poison that didn't kill…Just twisted.
"Let's see how she handles heartbreak… again."
END OF CHAPTER 15.