Prologue
The soulmate mark hadn't emerged on his body until he was seven years old. He had always heard, it was a gift from Gods, a reason to celebrate.
But there was no celebration. His parents didn't look happy when he showed them his mark, a half moon, stark against his brown skin.
They had taken a look on his mark and told him to hide it, as it was special, not meant to share with others.
But he knew better, even though he was just a little boy. They wanted him to hide his soulmate mark because they were afraid of the consequences.
So he hid it, not knowing why.
As he grew older he began to understand. The worried glances, the hushed conversations between his parents, and the hour long discussions of his father with his advisors became clearer with each passing day.
His mark wasn't a gift, but a curse.
A curse upon his kingdom, his people, and his very soul.
A reminder of a long forgotten debt.
A debt he had to repay as the bearer of the mark.