Veer’s father moved like a shadow, faster than before. Kaya tried to dodge, but his grip closed around her arm like an iron trap. With a violent swing, he slamd her into the ground.
The crack of impact echoed through the courtyard. Kaya groaned, her body jolting from the shock. Pain shot through her shoulder—numb, heavy, as if it had shattered on the stone. For a mont, her vision blurred, but her eyes... her eyes only burned brighter.
With a sudden surge, she snapped her leg upward and drove her heel into his stomach. The force of the kick hurled him back, making the onlookers gasp in disbelief.
But his fury only deepened. His eyes glowed darker, beastly. Then—with a roar—massive wings tore free from his back, the sheer force of them whipping the air around. The ground trembled as he lunged forward, claws bared.
BAM!
The sound shook the earth. Veer’s fist had slamd into the ground between them, so close that dust and stone exploded upward. His father skidded back, barely avoiding the blow.
Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Veer rose slowly, amber eyes blazing with fury, his chest heaving. "I told you," his voice was low, dangerous, each word carved with venom, "don’t you dare use your beast power." His glare cut through his father like a blade. "How dare you... Dad."
For the first ti, Veer’s father faltered. His wings flexed wide, casting a shadow that lood over everyone, but his eyes were locked on his son with pure disbelief.
"You—" he snarled, voice rough, almost animal. "You dare raise your hand against ?" His pride burned hotter than his rage. The crowd of beastn stiffened, sensing the dangerous line Veer had just crossed.
Kaya pushed herself up from the ground, her arm hanging stiff at her side. Pain radiated through her shoulder, every breath sharp and searing—but her gaze never wavered. Cold. Sharp. Alive with a fire that refused to die. She wiped the blood from her lip with the back of her hand and straightened, her black shirt sticking slightly to the dust and sweat.
Her eyes shifted between father and son, lingering only for a heartbeat longer on Veer. He had stepped in, but she did not look grateful. She looked like a storm barely contained, as though the wound had only stoked her fire.
Veer’s father’s wings spread wider, feathers rattling like blades unsheathed. "Both of you..." he growled, voice shaking with wrath. "Have you lost your minds? First this woman dares to challenge —now my own son sides with her?"
Veer stepped forward, placing himself between Kaya and his father once again, jaw tight, fury etched in every line of his face. "I told you once. If you break the rules, if you hurt her with your beast form... I won’t hold back." His amber eyes glowed like molten gold.
Behind him, Kaya flexed her injured arm, wincing but refusing to yield. Her voice cut in, low and cold, a whisper that carried like ice across the courtyard.
"Then stop talking," she said.
The air itself seed to still, waiting for the next strike.
The healer suddenly stumbled forward, desperation shaking his voice.
"My lord, stop! This girl is not herself right now. To fight her like this—"
"Silence!" Veer’s father snapped, his predator eyes blazing. But then his gaze shifted, locking on his son. Veer stood rooted, amber eyes burning with murderous intent, his fists clenched at his sides. The tension between them was thick enough to choke the air.
For a long mont, father and son simply stared. Then, with a snarl, Veer’s father turned away. His wings unfurled in a violent rush of wind.
"Fine. Do what you want," he spat, before launching into the night sky. His n followed, their dark shapes scattering into the clouds until the courtyard was left in silence.
Only Veer’s ragged breathing filled the air. His jaw was tight, his body trembling—not with fear, but with rage. He turned, eyes snapping to Kaya.
But before the words could leave his mouth, Kaya staggered. Her cold fire suddenly drained away, and she collapsed as though the strength had been ripped out of her.
"Kaya!" Veer’s voice broke. He lunged forward, catching her just before her head hit the ground. "Kaya? Look at ! Damn it—Kaya!" He shook her gently, panic cracking through his fury. But she was limp, her skin clammy, her lashes fluttering without focus.
Inside, Veer’s chest twisted. She just fought my father. No human—no beastman woman—should’ve lasted this long. She’s burning herself alive in front of again.
The healer rushed forward, kneeling beside them. His hands hovered, trembling, before he touched her shoulder. The instant he pressed, Kaya’s body arched in pain, and Veer’s roar split the night.
"Don’t touch her!" His amber eyes glowed dangerously, fangs threatening to show.
The healer flinched, but forced himself to speak quickly, voice cracking.
"Her shoulder—sprained, badly! If I don’t set it now, she’ll never move it properly again!"
Veer’s chest heaved. His gaze darted from Kaya’s pale, pained face to the trembling healer. Finally, with a growl, he lowered her gently but never let go of her hand. "Do it. But if you hurt her—"
The healer swallowed hard and nodded. With swift, practiced movents, he forced the shoulder back into place. Kaya let out a faint cry, then fell completely limp again. Veer snarled, pulling her back into his arms, shielding her as though she might shatter.
"It’s done!" the healer cried, backing away. He quickly rummaged through his satchel and handed Veer a small vial. "This will calm the fire in her blood... it should bring her drunkenness down faster. Rest is all she needs now."
Veer stared at the vial, then at Kaya, her head tucked helplessly against his chest. His throat tightened, fury and helplessness choking him. His father’s words echoed in his mind, but he shoved them away, lowering his forehead to touch hers.
"You reckless woman," he whispered, voice trembling. "Why do you keep breaking yourself in front of ?"
The courtyard remained silent, save for the sound of Veer’s heartbeat hamring against the fragile weight of Kaya in his arms.
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