Cassie’s POV
I laughed at Kael’s words, but his expression remained unreadable.
“I don’t love you,” I said calmly, locking eyes with his sapphire orbs.
He smiled, his deep dimples showing.
How could I not love this man?
I’m just denying it to keep him at a distance.
Clicking his tongue, he asked, “So…
about last night?”
“Don’t mention it,” I said quickly, my ears burning red like a tomato.
He chuckled, a sly smile crossing his lips.
“How can you throw yourself at a man you don’t love? Are you that cheap?” he spat, making my expression darken.
Did he just call me cheap?
What happened last night was a mistake!
“It was a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to do that. I was pushed into it,” I answered truthfully, but his eyes told me he didn’t believe a word I said.
“Pushed into it?” He mimicked my words, laughing in disbelief.
“You’re a great actress, Cassie. If someone walked in and heard this, they’d think you were telling the truth,” he said, his gaze shifting this time filled with mixed emotions.
The air around us seemed to change, growing heavy with tension.
His fierce eyes burned into mine.
“Cassie… don’t play with my feelings,” he warned, his voice deep and laced with anger.
Then, without another word, he turned and left the room, his robe flowing majestically behind him.
I let out a deep breath, relieved yet unsettled.
His anger wasn’t something I wanted to experience again.
Sitting on the bed, I felt a headache coming on.
Why is everything so complicated?
I wondered, unable to shake the awful feeling in my chest.
Kael is the king so what?
But…
he isn’t like how they described him.
He was rumored to be terrifying, ruthless.
Yet, since we crossed paths, he had shown me nothing but care.
He made sure I was safe…
or was it because he loved me?
I found myself smiling at the thought, only to slap myself back to reality.
Walking to the mirror, I stared at my reflection.
My face was flushed, my ears still red.
I reached up, tracing my fingers over the golden bat tattoo on my neck.
It was carved so perfectly into my skin, as if I had been born with it.
“It’s a mate mark. It symbolizes our love,” I mimicked Kael’s words, laughing softly.
He was convinced I loved him and he wasn’t wrong.
But admitting it was another story.
The thought alone was unbearable.
I needed a distraction.
I walked to the table where Daisy had placed the tray, sat down, and began eating.
The meal was delicious, well-cooked, and comforting.
After finishing, I entered the bathroom for a peaceful bath.
But as soon as I closed my eyes, memories of Shadrix crept in.
I could almost see those haunting red eyes staring at me.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
I quickly finished my bath just like last time and rushed out of the bathroom again.
I pictured Shadrix again its menacing figure creeping closer, knife in hand, just like before.
My breath hitched as terror gripped me.
With only a towel wrapped around my body, I bolted out of the bathroom.
But it chased me, growling low like a beast hunting its prey.
Was this real?
Or just another cruel trick of my imagination?
I didn’t know.
All I knew was that it was after me.
Panic surged through me.
I had nowhere to run, unfamiliar with this place.
Then, a memory surfaced the room where I had seen Kael enter yesterday.
That was my only hope.
I ran as fast as I could, Shadrix’s presence looming behind me.
Reaching the door, I shoved it open with all my strength and stumbled inside only to freeze.
Kael stood before me, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.
Droplets of water clung to his muscular chest, glistening under the dim light.
He had just come out of the bathroom.
This was awkward, but right now, my pride didn’t matter.
Kael was the only one who had ever saved me I wouldn’t let foolish dignity cost me my life.
Without hesitation, I rushed forward and threw myself into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist to keep from touching the ground.
“Help me, please…” I whispered, my voice shaking.
His eyes met mine, and he stiffened.
For a moment, he simply stared, his expression unreadable.
Then his voice came, thick and laced with something I couldn’t decipher.
“Why do you say one thing and act otherwise?”
Tears welled in my eyes.
“I saw it again… Shadrix,” I choked out, barely holding back sobs.
Kael chuckled a sound that sent a shiver down my spine.
He attempted to put me down, but I clung tighter, not because I wanted to, but because I was too scared to let go.
“Trying to seduce me again?” he mocked.
I looked up at him, my vision blurred with unshed tears.
My throat went dry.
I couldn’t speak.
I hated myself for acting like this, for appearing weak before him.
I could hear his heartbeat, rapid and strong.
My face was pressed against his firm chest, the warmth of his skin sending heat to my cheeks.
Realization dawned, and embarrassment crashed over me.
The Shadrix that had been chasing me hadn’t arrived.
Then what was it?
Was it truly an illusion?
“Come down,” Kael ordered coldly.
I hesitated before obeying, slowly releasing him.
Standing before him, I waited, hoping for him to say something anything that would make me feel safe.
But his next words shattered that hope.
“Don’t be clingy to a man you don’t love. It’s irritating.”
The sting of his words cut deep. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Did I look like a fool to him now?
I clenched my fists, forcing down the lump in my throat.
I knew what he was trying to do push me away.
But I didn’t want him to.
I needed him.
If he abandoned me, I had no protection.
I was as good as dead in this place where danger lurked behind every corner.
“Leave,” he said, turning his back to me.
I didn’t move.
“Don’t want to go?” His voice dropped to a chilling tone.
“Or do you want me to throw you out?”
“I-I…” My voice faltered.
Words failed me.
“Use the door,” he commanded, and my heart clenched painfully.
Acting purely on instinct, I wrapped my arms around his back, pressing my forehead against him.
“I love you, Kael,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.
His body stiffened.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, he scoffed and pried my hands away from him.
“I don’t believe you,” he said coldly.
“You say one thing and mean another.”
This time, I felt like crying.
Why was he rejecting me now?
He had wanted my confession, hadn’t he?
I had finally given it to him so why was he pushing me away?
“Fine!” I snapped, anger rising with my tears.
“Then I don’t want this marriage! I don’t want to be with someone like you!”
My voice cracked as the words spilled out, hot and bitter.
Kael turned to me slowly, a smirk curling on his lips.
His hand reached out, cupping my face as his thumb grazed my cheek.
His smile it wasn’t warm.
It was cruel.
“Good,” he murmured.
“I like that confession.”
He let go of me, his gaze dark and unyielding.
“But let me tell you something…” His voice dropped, a chilling whisper that sent a shudder through me.
“You have no position in this marriage. I decide if it stands or ends.”
His words struck me like a dagger.
“Remember your place,” he continued.
“You’re nothing more than a slave. I’m doing you a favor by marrying you. No one else would ever want someone like you.”
I stood frozen.
Yes… he was right.
I was nothing.
A slave.
No one important.
I bit my lip hard, trying to hold back my tears.
But they betrayed me, falling freely down my cheeks.
Kael watched in silence.
And I?
I had never felt more powerless in my life.