Kael
There was no point lying to myself. If I didn't go see her, I was damn near sure that I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.
I forced Cleo to go back to her room despite her tantrums. I couldn't stand another minute of her raving about things I couldn't give two fucks about.
I knew Seraphina would be awake, and so when I knocked on her door and didn't get a response, it only further solidified my suspicions.
After what felt like an eternity, she opened it.
Looking down at her flushed face, I wanted to hold her and tell her everything—the pain that had eaten deep enough for me to want to ruin her life, the death of my sister Vivian, how angry I was at the world, and most especially at her.
Whatever it was that had grown, or rather is growing, from my being around her often, is starting to mess with my plans.
I held back on my emotions, and let my gaze sweep through the highlights of her night wear.
She wore a pink lingerie which hugged her curves so fucking beautifully. What would she say if I walked in and swept her into a kiss?
What would she do if I tore through the barriers of this nightwear and dragged my tongue around the rough edges of her nipples? I had tasted her before, but I missed going into her chambers and fucking her senseless.
I shook my head in a bid to push the thoughts away. I lifted my gaze back to her face, and she looked at me with an expression I couldn't yet describe, but I knew what it was—jealousy? Maybe.
It further confirmed my suspicions about her listening to everything that happened between me and Cleo.
I had gotten temporary release from banging Cleo, but looking at Seraphina now I…
"What is it?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through my thoughts.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my expression unreadable. "You shouldn't leave your door half-open at night."
She crossed her arms, a flicker of irritation flashing across her face. "You came all the way here to tell me that?"
"Yes," I said simply. It wasn't a lie, just not the full truth.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The air between us was heavy—not the kind that made breathing hard, but the kind that made silence dangerous.
She leaned against the doorframe, the dim light from her room spilling over her bare shoulders.
"You look like hell," she said.
"Feels like it too."
I took a step forward, and she didn't move back. She should've, but she didn't.
Up close, I could see the small details I'd forced myself to ignore before; the way her hair fell in loose strands against her neck, the faint mark where her pillow had pressed into her cheek, the tremor in her fingers as she folded her arms tighter.
She was nervous, though she'd never admit it.
"You're bleeding again," she said, nodding at the faint red seeping through the edge of my bandage.
"It's fine."
"It doesn't look fine."
I met her gaze, steady. "You're starting to sound like Cleo."
That earned me a glare. "Don't compare me to her."
I couldn't help the slight smirk that tugged at my lips.
"Then stop acting like her."
Her jaw tightened. "You think this is funny?"
"Not really," I said, my voice low.
"But I do think it's really interesting that you care."
She blinked, and just like that, the air thickened again. I could practically feel the tension pulse between us.
"I don't," she said finally, the words a little too quick, a little too defensive.
"Sure," I muttered.
"You came here for a reason, Kael. What is it?"
I studied her for a long moment. She had no idea how dangerous she looked standing there, not because of what she could do, but because of what she made me want to do.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Her brow arched.
"You mean after hearing you and Cleo—"
"Don't," I cut in sharply, the edge in my tone harsher than I intended.
"Fine," she said, voice thick with emotion. "Then I'm fine. You can go now."
I didn't move. I just stood there, watching her. The more I tried to pull back, the more my mind betrayed me, flashing images of her lying in bed, her skin against mine, the sound of her breath catching. It was infuriating.
"Kael," she said quietly, "you're staring."
"I know."
"Why?"
I didn't have an answer that wouldn't sound like trouble.
She shifted slightly, and the movement made the light catch the silk of her nightwear. My eyes followed before I could stop myself, and she noticed. Of course, she noticed.
"You should probably go before Cleo comes looking for you again," she said, her tone flat but her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the door.
I ignored the jab. "You heard us."
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Then she gave a small shrug. "You left the door open."
I nodded once, biting back a curse.
"That was a mistake."
"Yeah," she said quietly. "It was."
I stepped closer.
"You shouldn't have gone wandering around," my voice dropped. "This place isn't as safe as it looks."
"I wasn't wandering," she replied, lifting her chin. "I was curious."
"Curiosity gets people killed, Seraphina."
Her mouth twitched, like she wanted to smile but thought better of it.
"Good thing I've got you then."
I stepped back, unable to contain the heat creeping into my pants.
"Goodnight, Princess," I said finally.
I started walking away before I could change my mind.
By the time I reached the end of the hall, I heard the soft click of her door closing. I didn't look back. Didn't have to.
The image was already burned into my mind.
I told myself it was just an attraction. A passing distraction.
Something that would fade once my revenge was over.
But as I stood there staring at nothing, I had a feeling that I might be wrong.
She was getting under my skin. And for someone like me, someone with everything to lose, I couldn't let that happen.