The night refused to sleep.
Seraphina stood by the tall arched window of her chamber, watching the hellfire lanterns flicker in the distance. The court below buzzed with whispers—her name carried on every breath, every shadow.
She is his weakness.
She will be his downfall.
She does not belong.
The door behind her opened without warning.
She didn't turn.
She knew it was Kael.
She felt him before she heard him—the shift in the air, the dangerous calm that followed him everywhere. His presence wrapped around her like a silent command.
"You shouldn't be alone tonight," he said.
She swallowed. "Neither should you."
He stopped a few steps behind her. "After today, the court will test you. They will try to break you."
She turned then, meeting his gaze. "Is that a warning… or a threat?"
His lips curved slightly. "Both."
The space between them felt charged, heavy with everything they hadn't said—and everything they wanted to.
"You claimed me," she said quietly. "You knew what it would do."
"Yes."
"You didn't ask."
"No."
Her heartbeat thundered. "Why?"
Kael moved closer. One step. Then another. Slowly. Deliberately. Like a predator that knew his prey wasn't running.
"Because asking would have given you a chance to say no," he said softly. "And I wasn't prepared to accept that."
Her breath hitched—not in fear, but in something dangerously close to thrill.
"That makes you ruthless," she whispered.
"It makes me honest."
He stopped inches away. Close enough that she could feel the heat of him, smell the faint scent of smoke and night clinging to his clothes.
"You should hate me," he continued. "You should fear what I am."
"And yet?" she asked.
His gaze dropped—to her lips. Then back to her eyes.
"And yet you're still standing here."
Silence stretched, thick and aching.
Kael lifted his hand but didn't touch her. The restraint was maddening.
"If I cross that line," he said, voice low, controlled, "there is no pretending anymore. No protection. No lies."
Her fingers curled into his coat. "Then stop pretending."
That was all it took.
His hand slid to her waist—not rough, not gentle—claiming. He didn't pull her close. He waited.
Permission.
Her body answered before her mind could.
She stepped into him.
The contact stole her breath. His chest was solid, unyielding, his arm tightening just enough to make her feel how easily he could trap her there—and how carefully he chose not to.
Kael lowered his forehead to hers, eyes closed. "You're dangerous," he murmured.
She smiled faintly. "So are you."
His thumb brushed her side, sending a shiver through her. The touch was minimal, but it burned like fire.
"Say the word," he whispered. "And I will stop."
She didn't speak.
She tilted her head slightly, just enough to close the distance.
Their lips met—briefly. Controlled. A kiss that promised far more than it gave.
Kael pulled back first, breathing hard.
"That," he said, voice rough, "is the last innocent moment we will ever have."
Her pulse raced. "Do you regret it?"
His eyes darkened. "I'm terrified of how much I don't."
A knock thundered against the door.
They froze.
A guard's voice followed. "My prince. The council convenes at dawn. There has been… movement."
Kael straightened, the devil's mask sliding back into place. His hand slipped from her waist, but the heat lingered.
"I will come," he said coldly.
The door closed again.
Kael looked back at her once more. "From this moment on," he said, "they will come for you through me."
Seraphina lifted her chin. "Then they've already lost."
Something fierce flickered in his eyes.
"You have no idea," he said softly, "how much I want you to survive this."
He left her standing there—heart racing, lips still warm, fate already sealed.