Let Them Kneel (kaelani and Julian) novel Chapter 130

Julian didn’t look up. He fed another twig into the fire, watching it catch.

“We need to stay sharp,” he murmured. “Lazarus wasn’t exactly sure what happens on the bridge.”

He sat back on his heels, eyes narrowing at the thought.

“Said not many have made it across… and if they did, they didn’t come back.”

A pause.

“The bridge is hexed. Designed to keep people from traveling further. To protect what’s beyond. To trap what’s already crossed.”

Jace didn’t answer right away.

The fire popped softly between them, fat hissing as it cooked. Shadows climbed the cavern walls, stretching and retreating with every flicker of flame.

Finally, Jace exhaled through his nose.

“Hexes don’t work unless they get inside you,” he said. “Doesn’t matter how old or powerful they are. They need doubt. Fear. Guilt.”

He flipped one of the steaks, the scent of searing meat briefly overpowering the cold.

“So we don’t give it anything to work with.”

Julian nodded once. He didn’t trust himself to say more.

They ate in silence, backs against the stone, boots stretched toward the fire. When they were done, they cleared a space on the floor, laying their packs down as makeshift pillows. The fire crackled softly, warmth finally sinking into the chilled cavern air.

The wind outside howled. Inside, the cavern held its breath.

Time passed. Long enough for the tension to loosen. Long enough for Julian’s thoughts to drift where he didn’t want them to.

Then-

“You think Kaelani’s waiting for you?”

Jace’s voice was quiet. Casual. Almost thoughtful.

Julian blinked, surprised by the question. He turned his head slightly, brow furrowing.

“I can only hope she is.”

A low hum came from beside him.

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“Hmm… You know what I think?”

Julian hesitated.

“What?”

Jace rolled onto his side, and the firelight caught his face at a strange angle. His mouth curved–not quite a smile.

“I think she’s probably getting fucked by that Fae Lord right now.”

His words were flat. Delivered with no emotion. Just cruel honesty… or something pretending to be it. Julian sat up slowly, a tightness building in his chest.

“What did you just say?”

Jace laughed.

Low at first. A breathy chuckle that scraped against the cavern walls.

Then louder.

And louder.

The sound peeled into something manic. Unnatural.

Julian’s stomach dropped.

He stared harder at Jace’s face-

And it shifted.

The familiar lines twisted. The warmth in his eyes drained, replaced by something silver and amused.

Draevyn’s grin split his face–feral, gleaming, wrong.

“You really think she chose you?” he whispered, leaning closer. “That she’d come running into your arms? You left her. You ruined her. I found her in pieces. I made her whole.”

Julian’s breath hitched. He scrambled back, claws protracting with a metallic scrape.

The fire flared behind Draevyn like it recognized him–like it bowed.

“She comes when I merely touch her,” Draevyn purred. “Was she ever that responsive for you?”

The cavern twisted—walls rippling like heatwaves, shadows stretching long and skeletal across the floor.

Julian surged to his feet, claws out, chest heaving.

“You’re lying. I’d know if she was with another. I’d feel it.”

Draevyn’s grin deepened.

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“You’d only feel it if she bared your mark… and you bared hers.”

His voice slithered through the air like smoke.

“But you don’t. And she’s no longer bound to your pathetic bond.”

A pause. His eyes gleamed with cruelty.

“She chose to break it. She used her power to sever you.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed, breath sharp.

“You’re full of shit.”

Draevyn chuckled low.

“Am I? Then tell me, Alpha–why haven’t you felt her in weeks? Why does she no longer haunt your dreams… unless I allow it?”

Julian’s claws flexed against his palms, his wolf snarling just beneath the surface.

“You’re going to die out here,” Draevyn said, almost gently. “But don’t worry. She’ll be just fine. I’ll keep her warm. Keep her fucked. Every. Single. Night.”

Something in Julian snapped.

He lunged–fangs bared, claws swinging–aiming for Draevyn’s throat.

But he was gone.

Julian crashed through the space where he’d stood, landing hard on his hands and knees. He looked up- heart pounding–and the cavern was gone.

He was in a hallway.

Narrow. Dark. The stone beneath him cold and wet, like it had been carved from the bones of something age–old. Torches flickered weakly on either side, casting long shadows that bent at impossible angles.

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