24. Axel

Theon settles Katya in Axel’s room at Arius manor and urges Axel to drink bottled blood and rest. Axel refuses, fearing relapse into bloodlust. When Theon departs for Arius House, Axel stays to watch over the still-weak Katya.

Katya wakes nauseated and rushes to the bathroom. At her request, Axel fetches Eliza, who helps and confirms Katya can manage basic tasks despite the pregnancy. Eliza and Razik arrive and explain twin-flame bonds, revealing Katya took a Mark to find Axel, which will drain her unless matched.

Determined, Axel asks Eliza to inscribe his companion Mark. Despite repeated attempts, the Mark will not take. Katya urges patience while Razik searches for answers. Axel and Katya share a quiet moment where he accepts the pregnancy and vows to figure things out with Theon’s help.

Cienna arrives, verifies Katya and the baby are stable, then delivers the revelation: because Axel harmed Katya before bonding, he cannot sustain the twin-flame Mark; it would fade as hers will. She warns Axel he is losing his Legacy—his magic will slip away and sunlight sensitivity has begun. The child, conceived earlier, will be an Arius Legacy and is male.

Confronted with the certainty that he is a danger to Katya, Axel breaks down. Cienna counsels that though fate waits, his choices will define him. After Katya falls asleep, Axel resolves to protect her from himself. He leaves a note promising to keep them safe but not return, then departs for the Underground.