Chapter 59: Bound to me

The tension in the house had shifted. Esme could feel it, thick in the air like a storm brewing just before it unleashed chaos. Kael had always been possessive, but after everything that had happened between them, it had only intensified.

She noticed it in the way he watched her. How his gaze followed her every move, unreadable and sharp, as if daring her to test his patience. And Esme, being who she was, intended to do just that.

At breakfast, she intentionally chose the seat farthest from him at the long dining table. She picked at her food delicately, avoiding his eyes as if his presence didn't affect her in the slightest. It was a silent act of rebellion, one that she knew would provoke a reaction.

Kael didn't say anything at first. But then, without warning, he stood up, walked to where she was seated, and pulled out the chair beside her. The sound scraped against the floor, making her pause mid-bite.

"What are you doing?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Kael didn't answer. Instead, he plucked the fork from her fingers and picked up a piece of fruit from her plate. Holding it to her lips, he murmured, "Eat."

Esme stiffened. She hated how her body reacted to his low, commanding tone. But she wasn't about to give in that easily.

"I can feed myself."

Kael smirked, but his dark eyes held no humor. "I know you can. But I don't like watching you act as if you aren't mine."

The words sent a shiver down her spine.

Lucan cleared his throat from across the table, a hint of amusement in his expression. "You two are impossible."

Esme shot him a warning glare, but Kael wasn't as subtle. His gaze flickered toward Lucan, sharp and dangerous.

Lucan merely smirked before standing up. "I'll leave you two lovebirds to it."

Esme scoffed at his teasing, but Kael's grip on her wrist tightened slightly, bringing her attention back to him.

"You enjoy testing me, don't you?" His voice was smooth, but there was an underlying edge to it.

Esme tilted her chin defiantly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kael's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You will soon enough."

And with that, he leaned in, brushing his lips against the shell of her ear before whispering, "You belong to me, Esme. Stop trying to fight it."

Esme's breath hitched, her heart hammering against her ribs.

She didn't know how much longer she could keep up this game without getting burned.

The air between them grew heavier, thick with unspoken words and an undeniable pull that neither of them wanted to acknowledge. Esme shifted uncomfortably in her seat, the warmth of Kael's breath still lingering on her skin.

She hated the way he had this effect on her. The way her body reacted before her mind could process it. But she wouldn't let him win.

Esme forced herself to take another bite of her breakfast, pretending as if Kael's possessive words hadn't sent a rush of heat through her body. But Kael was watching her too closely, his dark eyes reading every subtle shift in her expression.

He wasn't fooled.

"Tell me, Esme," Kael mused, his voice lazy but laced with something dangerous. "How long do you think you can keep up this little act of yours?"

She swallowed and lifted her gaze to his, keeping her expression blank. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "You're trying to push me."

Esme smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Is it working?"

Kael leaned in, his fingers brushing against the back of her neck as he tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Careful, Esme." His voice was barely above a whisper, but the warning was clear.

Esme's pulse quickened, but she refused to let him see how much he affected her. Instead, she leaned in slightly, her lips mere inches from his. "Or what?"

Kael's grip on her neck tightened ever so slightly, his thumb tracing the delicate curve of her jaw.

"Or you'll find out exactly what happens when you cross that line."

Esme smirked, though her breath was uneven. "I think I'd like to see you try."

Kael's eyes darkened, his patience visibly wearing thin. He had always been the one in control, but Esme was pushing him—testing him in a way no one ever had before.

And she was enjoying it.

Before he could respond, Esme abruptly stood from her seat. "Well, this has been fun, but I have things to do."

Kael caught her wrist before she could take a step away. "Sit down."

Esme raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Kael tugged her back down onto the chair with ease, his grip firm but not rough. His fingers remained around her wrist as he leaned closer.

"We aren't done here," he said smoothly.

Esme let out a small laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're unbelievable."

Kael smirked. "And yet, you can't seem to stay away."

Esme rolled her eyes, but she couldn't deny that his words held a sliver of truth. There was something magnetic about Kael—something that kept pulling her back in, no matter how hard she tried to resist.

But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

With a deliberate slowness, Esme lifted her free hand and ran a teasing finger down the side of Kael's face, her nails grazing his jawline lightly.

Kael's smirk faltered for just a second.

Esme leaned in, her lips barely brushing against his ear as she whispered, "Watch yourself, Kael. You might be the one who ends up falling first."

Then, before he could react, she pulled away completely and walked out of the dining room, leaving him sitting there, watching her retreating figure.

Kael exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw.

****. ****. ****.