By morning, the court had decided who she was.
A threat.
Seraphina felt it in the way servants avoided her gaze, in how whispers followed her down the corridors like ghosts that refused to be banished. Even the walls seemed to listen now.
She was no longer invisible.
She was marked.
The training chamber was carved deep beneath the palace, lit by burning runes and shadows that clung to the stone. Seraphina stood at the center, hands clenched, pulse racing—not from fear, but anticipation.
Kael circled her slowly.
"Again," he said.
She raised the blade, breath steady, muscles aching. She lunged.
Too slow.
Kael caught her wrist easily, twisting just enough to disarm her. The sword clattered to the floor.
"Your body hesitates before your mind," he said calmly, still holding her. "That hesitation will get you killed."
She glared at him. "Then teach me not to hesitate."
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
He stepped closer—too close—his hand still wrapped around her wrist, his other braced against the wall behind her. She was trapped between stone and devil.
"This," he said quietly, "is exactly how they'll corner you."
Her breath came shallow. "And what do I do?"
"Feel nothing," he murmured.
His presence overwhelmed her senses—heat, power, control barely restrained. She could feel his heartbeat, steady and dangerous.
"Again," he said.
She moved without thinking this time—ducking, twisting, breaking free. Kael laughed softly, genuine surprise flashing across his face.
"Good," he said. "Very good."
But before she could step back, the chamber door opened.
Lady Mirella entered.
Tall. Elegant. Deadly beautiful.
Her gaze slid from Kael to Seraphina, lingering with open disdain.
"So this is her," Mirella said lightly. "The fragile little human who has the court trembling."
Kael's expression hardened. "Leave."
Mirella smiled. "I don't think I will."
She stepped closer, circling Seraphina the way Kael had moments earlier—but without respect.
"You wear his favor like armor," Mirella whispered. "Do you think it will save you when he grows bored?"
Seraphina straightened. "Do you always speak so freely to someone else's wife?"
The word wife hit the air like a blade.
Mirella's smile faltered—for half a second.
Kael moved instantly, positioning himself between them. "Enough."
His voice carried a warning that made the torches flicker.
Mirella's eyes darkened. "Careful, Kael. You're showing weakness."
Kael didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
"She is under my protection," he said coldly. "And anyone who tests that will learn how little mercy I have left."
The threat was unmistakable.
Mirella stepped back, her gaze burning with promise. "Enjoy her while you can."
When she left, the chamber fell silent again.
Seraphina exhaled shakily.
"She hates me."
"Yes," Kael said. "Because she wanted what you have."
She turned to him. "And what is that?"
He studied her for a long moment, eyes dark, conflicted.
"My attention," he said finally. "And my restraint."
Her pulse spiked. "Restraint?"
Kael stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You don't understand what you awaken in me."
She looked up at him—unafraid. "Then don't hold back."
His jaw tightened.
"I'm trying to keep you alive," he said.
"And I'm trying to live," she replied.
For a moment, the air between them crackled—desire and danger coiling together, impossible to separate.
Kael reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear—slow, intimate, reverent.
"You are changing the balance of this realm," he murmured. "And if you fall…"
"I won't," she said softly.
His thumb lingered against her skin. "Then you will rule it."
Their gazes locked.
And somewhere deep within the palace, something ancient stirred.