Kael
Staring down at Seraphina, I couldn't shake the sudden urge to pull her into my arms. The thought came out of nowhere, quick and unwanted, and I forced myself to shut it down before it took root.
That wasn't what this was about. It couldn't be. Fucking hell, I couldn't let my thoughts or emotions get the better of me.
"You'll need training," I said finally. "At least the basics like self defense, awareness, weapon handling if necessary."
She blinked, frowning like I'd just said something ridiculous. "What are you looking at me like that for?"
I said, trying and failing to hide the small tug of amusement at the corner of my mouth.
"You cannot be serious, Kael." Her tone carried that mix of disbelief and defiance that only she could pull off.
"Oh, I'm serious."
"Why? You have your... stuff. You have all this tech. Isn't that supposed to keep me safe?"
I crossed my arms. "Technology can fail. People can betray you. It's only wise to prepare for the worst, Amorcito. You can't afford to be helpless anymore."
She raised a brow.
"Last I checked, Kael, your job was to protect me.
To make sure nothing happens when I'm not looking. Not train me to do it myself."
Her words were bold, almost arrogant but they made something twist in my chest. If only she knew how much truth lay under her sarcasm.
If anyone was going to hurt her, it would be me. And only me—not yet though. Not until I'd taken everything that belonged to her. Not until she felt the same ruin I'd lived with for years.
"There's no reason not to be ready, Seraphina," I said, my tone tightening. "You're smarter than this. I shouldn't have to explain it to you."
Her eyes narrowed, the confusion slowly giving way to frustration.
"With your mind's eye," I continued, "imagine how much better your chances would've been during the attack if you'd known how to defend yourself. Even for a few seconds."
That hit her. Her shoulders stiffened, and her expression faltered. The memory of that day, still fresh in my mind.
"I'm sorry, Amorcito," I said, softer this time. "But that's the truth."
She looked away, jaw clenched, then nodded slowly.
"Yeah, you're absolutely right. I should learn one or two things about defending myself."
Good. That was progress.
"Good," I said, keeping my voice steady. "We'll start tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow?" She repeated, almost laughing. You really don't waste time do you?"
"There's no time to waste."
Her mouth curved slightly, not quite a smile, more like a quiet resignation. "Fine. Tomorrow."
I studied her for a moment longer. She still looked tired, like the events of the past few days hadn't left her alone for even a second.
She needed rest, but she also needed strength. The kind of strength that came from knowing how to survive.
"Go downstairs," I said finally. "I've already told the staff to prepare breakfast. I just need a few minutes to clean up." She nodded, turning toward the door.
As she walked away, I caught a glimpse of her hand brushing over her arm. She probably didn't even realize she was doing it, but it was a reminder of how close she'd come to dying.
When the door clicked shut behind her, the air shifted.
The room felt heavier without her in it, and quieter too.
A weird feeling of guilt almost gripped me but I shoved the feeling down before it could take root in my thoughts. I needed to focus.
I looked down at my injured shoulder, the bandage's tightening slightly as I flexed my hand. It was still sore, but I'd gotten used to pain a long time ago.
Pain was useful. It kept you sharp. Focused.
I moved to the window, pushing the curtain aside just enough to see the courtyard below. Seraphina was already outside, crossing toward the dining area, sunlight catching in her hair.
She moved with a kind of cautious grace. Like someone trying to act normal when the world around her stopped making sense.
I wasn't sure why I kept watching. Maybe it was habit. Maybe it was something else.
A voice broke my focus. One of the guards, standing just outside the door.
"Sir, the press release about last night's incident has gone public."
I turned slightly. "What are they saying?"
"Speculation, mostly. Some think it was a political hit. Others…a message."
Of course. It was always a message. And people sending it were the same ones who thought they could use Seraphina as leverage. They'd learn soon enough how wrong they were.
I hadn't spoken to the boss yet, I was bidding my time.
"Keep monitoring," I said. "If anything leaks about her location, I want to know immediately."
"Yes, sir."
The guard left, and I leaned back against the wall, exhaling slowly. She couldn't go back to the palace yet and it would be better if no one knew where she was, at least for now.
Everything was moving faster than I'd planned—Cleo's outburst, the attack, the cracks in mine and Seraphina's relationship, all of it was leading to something I could feel but not yet see clearly.
And in the middle of it all, she was learning to trust me. That was dangerous. Not for her, but for me.
I ran a hand over my face and muttered under my breath, "You're losing focus, Kael."
But the truth was, I wasn't.
Everything was falling into place exactly as it needed to.
Seraphina's training, the questions she was beginning to ask, her growing dependence on me—all of it was part of the plan.
Still, as I grabbed a fresh shirt and buttoned it up one-handed, I couldn't ignore the thought that slipped into my head. Quiet but persistent.
What happens when she finally learns what I've done? What happens when she realizes I'm the reason her life fell apart in the first place?
I shoved the thought aside, tightening my jaw. It didn't matter. She'd know the truth eventually. But by then, it would already be too late.