Cassie's POV
A strong arm caught me before I could fall. Looking up, my eyes locked with Kael's, and a sly smile crossed his lips.
"You push me away, yet here you are, throwing yourself into my arms." His teasing tone made my face twist in a frown.
He was mistaken I wasn't running toward him. I was fleeing from something terrifying.
I struggled to break free, but his grip was firm. Before I could protest, his eyes turned crimson red. In a flash, he moved me away from the entrance with a speed that left me breathless.
A sharp cry filled the air.
I turned just in time to see the shadowy figure lunging toward us, knife gleaming. Fear clenched my chest, and I shut my eyes...
But then, the creature let out a blood curdling shriek.
I opened my eyes to find its form dissipating into black smoke, vanishing before my eyes.
Kael's companion from the forest the one who had cast a sleeping spell on me stood nearby, his presence commanding.
"Kaiden, you arrived just in time," Kael said, his deep voice filled with approval.
Kaiden offered a small smile as he stepped toward us, but the moment his gaze fell on me, he froze. His expression shifted, and he quickly turned his back to me.
It was only then that I realized—I was still wrapped in nothing but a towel.
I tensed. My cheeks burned as I squirmed against Kael's hold. "Let me go."
His voice dropped into a whisper. "Do you want others to see you like this?"
I met his sapphire gaze and rolled my eyes. He chuckled softly.
Kaiden cleared his throat. "I sensed a Shadrix nearby and intervened."
Kael nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."
With that, Kaiden left us alone.
The moment he was gone, I renewed my struggle. "Put me down."
Kael laughed. "Who would've thought? You're actually craving my embrace."
I opened my mouth to snap at him, but before I could, he scooped me up in his arms, carrying me effortlessly.
"Don't move." His voice was firm, almost commanding.
For some reason, I listened. Like a puppet, I stilled as he carried me back into the room.
He placed me gently on the bed, and just as I was about to murmur a reluctant "thank you," he turned on his heel and disappeared, fleeing like a man avoiding a predator.
I stared at the door, my lips twitching.
Shaking off the moment, I scanned the dimly lit room. Would another Shadrix appear? The eerie silence only made my nerves worse.
I needed a distraction.
Getting out of bed, I made my way to the other side of the room, where an array of neatly arranged clothes caught my eye. My breath hitched.
Gowns, dresses, robes each one more luxurious than the last.
"Are these… mine?" I whispered in disbelief.
"Yes, they're all yours."
I flinched.
Daisy's voice had come out of nowhere.
Whipping around, I narrowed my eyes. "How did you come in?"
She smiled, completely unbothered. "Through the door."
I scowled. "Next time, knock first."
She nodded in obedience, then picked out a black nightgown for me. After slipping into it, I dismissed her and settled onto the floor beside the bookshelves.
One book caught my attention.
Curious, I pulled it out and flipped through its pages. It was a historical account—one that told the tale of the first queen to ever rule a land.
She had ascended the throne after her husband's death, but her reign was filled with struggles. Betrayal lurked within the palace walls, and soon, her own stepsister through the use of dark magic manipulated the elders into accepting her husband as king instead.
The dethroned queen was accused of bringing a curse upon the land. The people, convinced by lies, turned against her. They claimed that ever since she took the throne, an unknown illness had begun spreading through the kingdom.
But the truth was far more sinister.
It had all been a conspiracy.
Her stepsister had orchestrated everything, poisoning the people and blaming the queen.
In the end, the former queen was publicly executed, her cries drowned out by the cheers of those who had once been her loyal subjects.
And the illness?
It mysteriously vanished after her death.
Not because she had caused it but because the true culprit had achieved her goal.
I shut the book, a chill running down my spine.
After finishing the story, I dropped the book onto the bed, my thoughts swirling with frustration. The unfairness of the queen's fate gnawed at me. If only the people had known the truth, if only they had seen through the deception…
A soft, eerie voice suddenly cut through my thoughts.
"Kael..."
I stiffened, my heart pounding. The voice was faint, yet it sent shivers racing down my spine.
"Come… Come…"
I turned my head, trying to pinpoint the source. It was coming from the king's corner or rather, my husband's space.
A strange pull guided me forward, my body moving almost involuntarily. My eyes landed on a bag in the corner of the chamber. The closer I got, the stronger the pull became.
"Yes… You're almost there…"
The voice whispered again, calm yet chilling.
With trembling hands, I reached for the bag. My fingers brushed against the edge of a small box inside when—
BANG!
The door burst open.
"What are you doing there?"
Kael's voice was sharp, urgent. In an instant, he was by my side, his grip tightening around my wrist as he yanked my hand away from the bag.
"Let me go!" I protested, but he dragged me out of the chamber and back to my space with ease.
His grip loosened, but his voice remained ice-cold. "Don't go near that place again."
A shiver ran down my spine. His tone held something deeper than just anger—it was warning, desperation, maybe even fear.
I wanted to argue, to demand answers, but something in his crimson eyes stopped me. Anger and sadness flickered within them, a storm I couldn't quite understand.
"I—" My voice caught in my throat.
He let go of my wrist, turning away. "Just stay where you're meant to be. Stay out of trouble."
His final words came with a piercing glance, his eyes glowing crimson red.
My breath hitched.
This wasn't the first time I'd seen him like this, but this time… this time, I was afraid.
"I'm sorry," I murmured, still grasping for something anything to say.
But Kael didn't even acknowledge my apology. "No need." His voice was harsh, cutting through the space between us like a blade. And then, he was gone.
I stood frozen for a moment before clenching my fists, fury bubbling beneath my skin.
How dare he?
Who did he think he was to dictate where I could go? This wasn't just his domain—it was mine, too!
He isn't even my husband yet, and he dares to order me around?!
The audacity!
Maybe I should report this to the king. Even if I was merely one of his wives, I wasn't so insignificant that I could be treated like this. Kael had no royal blood—
I stopped mid-thought.
Calling Kael anything but royal felt… strange.
Was he really not of royal blood? Or could he be the king's first son? From what I'd heard, the king had ruled endlessly for over a hundred years.
Even if Kael was the king's heir, it didn't give him the right to control me.
Muttering curses under my breath, I threw myself onto the bed, but sleep didn't come easily. I tossed and turned, frustration keeping me awake. It wasn't until the dead of night that exhaustion finally pulled me under.
In my sleep, warmth surrounded me.
A strong embrace.
It felt strangely… comforting. I was too tired to resist it, too drowsy to question it.
When I finally woke, my eyes snapped open.
Something was different.
I sat up abruptly, glancing at the side of the bed. The covers were disturbed, as if someone had lain there.
My breath caught.
"The king was here?" I whispered.
Memories of that warm embrace flickered in my mind.
I reached out, pressing my palm against the sheets. They were still warm.
Heart pounding, I jumped out of bed, scanning the room.
Was he still here?