AzEye – Chapter 1: The Bride in the Veil
The moon loomed large over the kingdom of Kairu, its pale light casting ghostly shadows across the palace walls. Tonight was meant to be a peaceful union between noble clans. But behind the velvet curtains of tradition, something far more dangerous stirred.Kai stood at the altar, his face unreadable beneath the soft glow of the ceremonial lanterns. White-haired and dressed in midnight robes threaded with crimson, he looked every bit the perfect warrior prince—cold, composed, and distant.
His dual-toned eyes—swirling black and deep crimson—revealed nothing, not even to his closest guards. Not even to himself.
He did not remember the boy from his past.
The one with the laughter like sunlight and eyes that once begged him not to forget.
That memory was stolen from him in blood and fire.
The bride stepped forward, veiled in silver silk, face hidden, voice silent. Small hands folded obediently. Everything about her—no, him—screamed elegance and innocence.
No one knew the truth.
Not even Kai.
Beneath the veil was Ray.
The underground king. The boy-turned-beast who had clawed his way through shadows, building an empire from ruins. Behind those timid eyes was a monster with a mission.
Ray had watched the girl meant to marry Kai vanish into a cage he designed himself. No one had seen her since.
Now, he stood in her place—smiling beneath the veil, heart pounding with wicked joy. He'll never marry someone else. Never.
If he forgot me, then I'll remind him... slowly. Personally.
The ceremony began. Vows were spoken. Hands were bound.
Kai said nothing. His gaze flickered toward his new bride only once, and in that moment, a strange chill passed over him.
Something… familiar.
Later that night, when the screams came from the guest palace—where the bride's family had been housed—the entire estate fell into chaos.Burned. Slaughtered. Not a soul survived.
Ray stood at the window of the royal chamber, his veil now lying beside the bed. Crimson eyes glowed in the moonlight as he stared down at the chaos he didn't cause—but had hoped for.
Now there were no witnesses. No family to question.
He turned as the chamber doors opened and Kai stepped in, his eyes sharp, his voice colder than ever.
"You," he said. "Take off the rest of the veil."
Ray smiled—shy, sweet, and just a little too perfect.
"As you wish, husband."