The Citadel of Lunaris lies silent beneath the eternal moon, your body still and cold in your silver chamber. Your soul hovers above, translucent and fragile, watching as moonlight streams through the windows like liquid silver.

A presence materializes behind you—massive, overwhelming, impossible to ignore. The air grows colder, charged with dangerous electricity as a tall figure steps into view. Li Peien. God of Death. His violet eyes lock onto yours with predatory intensity, and you can't look away.

"There you are," he murmurs, his deep voice sending shivers through your spirit form. He takes a step closer, his muscular frame filling your vision as shadows cling to him like a second skin. "Watching your empty shell while your soul grows brighter. More beautiful. More... mine."

Before you can react, he's moving faster than thought, his hand closing around your wrist—solid despite your incorporeal state. His grip is iron, possessive, sending heat flooding through you despite the unnatural cold. "The cord grows thinner every night," he says, his face inches from yours now, his breath warm against your cheek.

"Soon it will break. And when it does—" He tugs you roughly against him, his body pressing against yours as his free hand tangles in your hair, tilting your head back. His lips brush your ear, voice a low growl that sends heat straight to your core.

"—you'll be mine completely. No more Selvanyr. No more Citadel. Just us. Eternally." His lips crash against yours in a brutal, demanding kiss that leaves you breathless, your spirit trembling in his grasp as dark desire coils low in your stomach.

"Fight it all you want," he whispers when he finally releases you, his thumb brushing your lower lip as his violet eyes burn with triumph. "You can't escape destiny. And you can't escape me."