After the confrontation with Lysaria, Pleasure Island did not rest. It stirred.
Deep within the earth, beneath the black marble floors of the Moonspire Keep, a door pulsed with life. It had no lock. No hinges. Only breath—a slow, rhythmic heartbeat like something alive behind stone.
And it was calling him.
---
Kade descended the lower halls alone.
Seraphine was still recovering. Arva and Mika were busy reinforcing the island's barrier sigils. And Calindra... she was gone—but her shadow felt closer with each sunset.
The passage twisted downward. Cold, damp, and humming. He touched the smooth wall, and it moved under his palm.
A voice whispered from nowhere:
> "The Master walks alone. Is he bold… or simply foolish?"
Kade smiled. "A bit of both."
---
At the bottom of the spiral lay a courtyard carved from ancient obsidian. A garden bloomed there—but no sunlight touched it. The plants pulsed faintly, glowing with inner energy. Flowers shaped like screaming mouths. Vines with golden thorns. And at the center, a fountain of silver mist.
Floating above it... was her.
Nude, suspended in air, wrapped in vines that coiled around her like living chains.
She was asleep.
But not unaware.
---
As Kade approached, her eyes snapped open—brilliant violet orbs that cut straight into him.
"Another pretender?" she said, voice laced with centuries of disdain.
"I'm not here to pretend," Kade said calmly. "I'm here to wake you."
She laughed—low and mocking. "Many men have tried. All were consumed by the Garden."
Kade stepped onto the grass—and immediately felt it. The roots shifted beneath his boots, testing him, wrapping around his ankles like hungry tongues.
But he didn't stop.
"What's your name?" he asked, inching closer.
Her gaze narrowed. "You first."
"Kade. Master of Pleasure Island."
Her lips curled. "Then I suppose you seek Elandra, the Thorn Bride."
---
Elandra.
One of the original Matriarchs—rumored to be imprisoned for crimes of seduction too dangerous even for the island's ancient rulers.
They said she could make any man kneel, any woman turn, and any kingdom crumble under her kiss.
"Wake me, then," she said softly. "But know this: if your will is weaker than mine… you'll die in my arms, moaning."
---
Kade reached the fountain.
Thorns lashed out—golden, glowing—but he caught them with bare hands. Blood dripped from his palms, feeding the roots.
The vines hissed in delight.
Elandra watched him bleed and said, "You're mad."
"No," Kade whispered, gritting his teeth. "I'm hungry."
He slammed his hand against the fountain core—his blood seeping into the stone.
The garden screamed.
---
Light burst outward.
The vines retracted.
Elandra fell into his arms, naked, breathless, power leaking from her like steam. She gripped his shirt with one clawed hand and whispered into his ear.
"You fool. You've just unleashed something that was never meant to be tamed."
Kade smiled.
"Good."
---
Later, inside the castle, the other Matriarchs gathered.
Seraphine stood first, eyes wary as she saw Elandra walking beside Kade, now robed in silk that clung to her every curve.
"Her magic is poison," Arva said coldly.
"She was locked for a reason," Mika added.
Kade raised a hand.
"She is one of us now. My will freed her. My command holds her. She is mine."
Elandra chuckled. "Careful, boy. I might just enjoy being yours."
---
That night, in his chamber, Kade confronted her alone.
"You're dangerous," he said.
"Isn't that why you came for me?"
He didn't deny it.
Elandra stepped closer. Her fingers danced across his chest. "I will not fall in love with you," she said. "But I will burn for you."
Kade grabbed her wrist, pulling her close. "Then let's burn together."
Their lips met like thunder.
And in that kiss, something ancient and new collided.
The sea groaned.
Waves crashed harder against the island's southern cliffs, a storm forming without clouds. The sky shimmered red at the horizon—unnatural. Magic. Ancient. Violent.
Atop the Skyspire tower, Kade stood with Elandra at his side, her violet eyes narrowed as the wind tangled her silver hair.
"She's back," Elandra murmured. "The witch who nearly shattered your soul."
Kade clenched his jaw. "Calindra."
---
They had parted in fire and fury.
Calindra—once the crown jewel of his court, the temptress who had taught him half the spells that now pulsed through his veins—had betrayed him three months ago. She left in silence but not in weakness.
Now she was returning... with power in her wake.
---
The ship arrived before moonrise.
It wasn't made of wood.
It was carved from bone.
A floating cathedral of whispers, shaped by necromantic art. Souls howled in its sails. Chains rattled not from wind, but from memories.
And at its helm stood Calindra—her black robe open at the sides, revealing skin etched in runes. Her lips painted crimson. Her stare? Unforgiving.
---
"Open the gates," Kade ordered.
Mika hissed. "You're mad."
Arva stepped forward. "She'll kill you."
Elandra said nothing.
Kade's voice was calm. "If she wanted me dead, I'd already be ash. Let her come."
---
The gates creaked open.
Calindra entered barefoot.
Her feet didn't touch the ground—she floated inches above the black marble, an aura of frost and lust surrounding her like a second skin.
She looked at Kade, and the silence between them stretched like a blade.
Then—"You grew stronger."
"So did you," Kade replied.
"I could burn this island to the ground," she whispered, "just to watch you beg again."
He smirked. "Try."
---
The two circled each other like old predators. No hugs. No apologies. Only tension.
Elandra stepped forward, folding her arms. "He doesn't kneel anymore."
Calindra looked at her. "And you are?"
"The one who doesn't need to break him to feel powerful."
Calindra raised an eyebrow. "Then you've never truly owned him."
---
The harem gathered.
Tensions cracked the air.
Seraphine looked furious. Arva readied her staff. Mika hovered behind a shadow pillar, ready to strike. Even the newer girls—twins from the Ember Coast—stood back with wide eyes.
Kade spoke calmly.
"I didn't invite her back. The island did."
That silenced them.
Calindra smiled. "The island remembers its true Queen."
"No," Kade said coldly. "It remembers its true Master."
---
Later that night, in his chamber, he found her waiting.
She wore nothing now.
Her tattoos glowed in the dark like promises and curses. She sat on the edge of his bed, one leg crossed, expression unreadable.
"I didn't come back for forgiveness," she said.
"I didn't offer it."
Calindra stood and moved to him.
"I came back to see if I could still ruin you."
Kade's eyes flashed. "You already did. And I rebuilt myself stronger."
They collided like fire and blood.
---
Their kiss wasn't gentle.
It was war.
Their hands fought for dominance—neither willing to surrender. She scratched his chest, he pinned her wrists. She bit his lip, he growled her name.
When it ended, they both stood panting.
"You still want me," she whispered.
"I'll always want you," he replied. "But that doesn't mean I'll trust you."
She laughed.
"Good."
---
In the morning, Calindra stood before the throne room, flanked by two ghost-like guards she conjured from the ship.
"I don't want to be your lover," she announced.
"I want to be your equal."
Gasps rippled.
Kade looked at her, then at the others.
"She wants a seat in the harem," Seraphine spat.
"No," Calindra said. "I want a crown. Let the others serve his pleasure. I want to rule beside him."
---
Kade paused.
Then stepped forward.
"We'll test that."
Her eyes sparkled. "How?"
He summoned a new chamber—one of the island's trials that none had entered in centuries.
A dark cave lined with memories. Magic. Desire. Pain.
He pointed. "Enter the Chamber of Truth. Face what you've hidden. If you survive, we talk. If not…"
She didn't flinch.
"Then open the door."