I storm past Kaelen into his chambers, heading straight for the two chairs by the fireplace—but I don't sit. I cross my arms tightly over my chest, jaw clenched.
Kaelen follows, brows furrowed. "What's wrong? Did something happen at the modiste?"
"It's about your so-called aunt and her little scheme to throw that wench at you!" I snap.
His brow arches, but the smug little smirk tugging at his lips ignites my fury.
"So you were eavesdropping," he says with a low tsk. "How unladylike." He rests a hand on the back of the chair across from me. He looks like a damned oil painting—composed, smug, infuriating.
"I wasn't eavesdropping. I happened to overhear while walking to my room," I say through gritted teeth.
"You mean the room on the opposite side of the manor?" he counters coolly.
"Don't twist this around. You forced me to share your bed to protect your image—and I agreed. So I expect the same courtesy when your 'image' involves me."
His jaw tightens. I've hit a nerve.
"First of all, I didn't force you into anything—we agreed. If your memory's that short, let me remind you: I accepted every one of your terms and laid mine on the table. You consented to all of them. Second—" his voice lowers "—I turned Darwyn down. I defended your honor."
"Oh? And the wedding? Was that my choice?" My voice cracks with fury. "Marry you, or let my entire family's legacy be erased. What kind of choice is that?"
"You think I had one?!" he snaps. "I was backed into a corner. Either marry you, or give every noble house a reason to question my right to the throne."
"So that's all I am to you? A pawn in your rise to power?" I sneer. "Just waiting for the day you cast me aside?"
Kaelen's voice drops, sharp and bitter. "You already think I'm a tyrant. Why bother asking?"
"Aren't you one?" I challenge.
He smiles then—but there's no warmth in it.
"Oh, my sweet little wife," he says darkly, stepping forward. "You've yet to see tyranny."
I step back instinctively as he advances, my back hitting the wall. He plants his hands beside me, caging me in.
"Restraint," he murmurs. "I show so much restraint when it comes to you. Don't test me, Princess."
"I'm not afraid of you," I say, chin lifted in defiance.
Kaelen leans closer, his breath brushing my cheek. "That's because I haven't shown you how ruthless I can be."
But I still feel no fear.
"Why?" I whisper. "Why are you holding back with me?"
His eyes widen slightly—just enough to let me know the question landed. He straightens, expression unreadable, and turns toward the hearth, avoiding my gaze.
"Leave," he says, voice flat.
I stay frozen, pressed against the wall.
"I asked you a question."
"And I told you to leave," he repeats, eyes fixed on the fire. Its light flickers in his glacier-blue eyes, but his face is stone.
I push off the wall and step in front of him, toe to toe. I won't back down.
"I'm not leaving without an answer."
His hard gaze softens—barely. His eyes drop to my lips, then back up.
"You want answers?" he says, voice husky.
I nod, too choked up to speak.
"I'm a man forged for war," he begins, voice low and raw. "I was shaped by blood and discipline, taught that mercy is weakness. And yet…" He swallows. "You make me question everything I've ever believed."
"Me?"
"Yes, you," he breathes. "You defy everything I was trained to be. I was taught to be steel—cold, sharp, unbreakable. But you… you're turning me into something I don't recognize. And I can't afford that."
"If you hate being around me so much, why marry me?" I ask.
"I don't hate being around you. That's the damn problem," he growls. "You're consuming me—and I can't let that happen."
He steps closer again, too close. His eyes darken with something intense—something I can't name. The room spins slightly as if the air between us bends.
"You make me feel—things I didn't know I was capable of feeling," he whispers, brushing his fingers against my cheek. My eyes flutter shut, his touch consuming me. "Like I have a heart. One I thought I didn't even possess."
"It can't be like this," I say softly. "This… whatever this is… it's not right."
"I know." He steps back. The space between us feels like a chasm.
"We have to stop this," I whisper. "Send me back. Let me go. It's the only way."
Kaelen's expression turns solemn.
"I'm afraid it's too late."