The Spider’s Web

Kaelith did not react immediately to Seraphine's playful words.

Instead, he studied her—closely.

Her smile was effortless, her posture relaxed. Too perfect.

A lesser man would have been fooled.

But Kaelith knew Seraphine too well.

She was trying to distract him. To lure him away from whatever secret she was desperately protecting.

He smirked, playing along. "Lose my attention?" He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Impossible, my love."

Seraphine's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Then what has been occupying your thoughts?"

Kaelith let his fingers linger at her jaw. "You, of course."

Seraphine chuckled softly, but Kaelith saw it—the faintest flicker of tension in her eyes.

She knew.

She knew he was hunting her.

But what she did not know was how deep his trap had already been set.

Kaelith's spies were already tracking the intended recipient of her intercepted letter.

Within days, he would have his answer.

For now, he would let Seraphine play her game.

She was already tangled in his web.