CHAPTER TWO

I didn't sleep that night.

How could I? I lay in the massive, cold bed alone, thankfully listening to every sound in the dark. The crackle of the hearth. The wind rattling against the windows. The steady rhythm of my own breathing, shallow and uneasy.

But there was no sound of Kaelen.

He hadn't stayed. After that strange, unsettling promise — "I protect what's mine" — he'd turned and walked right out of the room without another word. I didn't know if I was relieved or insulted. Maybe both.

As dawn crept through the heavy curtains, I pushed myself out of bed, determined not to look like the anxious, exhausted mess I felt. A prince didn't show weakness — especially not in a foreign court filled with enemies. And make no mistake… I knew that's exactly what I was here.

When the knock came at the door, I was already dressed in the fine, embroidered clothes my attendants had left out. "Come in," I called, smoothing my sleeves and schooling my expression.

The woman who entered was older, with sharp eyes and a face like carved stone. She bowed, but not deeply. "Prince Adrien," she said coolly. "I am Lady Nira. I've been assigned to… assist you."

The pause was noticeable. Like even the word assist was distasteful.

"Thank you, Lady Nira," I said politely. "I'd like to meet my husband. Could you take me to him?"

Her eyes flicked over me — not with curiosity, but judgment. "The prince is… occupied."

"Occupied with what?"

She hesitated. "His duties are none of your concern."

Ah. So that was how it was going to be. I forced a smile. "And my duties, Lady Nira? What would you suggest I concern myself with?"

She didn't answer. Not right away. But I saw the faintest twitch of her mouth — like she wanted to smile, but wouldn't allow herself the luxury.

"The court expects to meet you," she said finally. "Shall we?"

---

The court of Umbra was everything I expected — and nothing like Eldwyn.

In Eldwyn, our court was a display of wealth and beauty. Soft colors, gentle music, faces painted with perfect smiles. A mask of civility over a den of snakes.

But Umbra… Umbra was shadows and steel. The great hall was grand but cold, with towering stone pillars and dark banners that rippled like silent warnings. The people were harder, their gazes sharp and assessing. And there was no music here — only the low murmur of voices and the occasional flash of suspicion.

I was an outsider. They all knew it.

But I wouldn't cower.

I kept my head high, my steps graceful, offering polite nods when required. But I felt their eyes on me, weighing and measuring. And the whispers… they weren't subtle.

"The Eldwyn prince…"

"So delicate… will he even survive here?"

"I heard the prince only married him to control the alliance"

"Do you t inhink he's afraid? I would be…"

"Where is Prince Kaelen?"

That was the question no one seemed willing to answer. And it was one I was growing more impatient to ask myself.

I was about to turn and demand Lady Nira take me to him when the heavy doors at the far end of the hall swung open and the room fell silent.

Kaelen walked in.

Every time I saw him, it was like the air shifted. He commanded attention without saying a word. Dressed in black and gold, his dark hair loose around his face, he looked like something out of a nightmare and a dream all at once. And those golden eyes… they locked onto mine the moment he saw me.

He didn't look away. Not as he crossed the room with slow, measured steps. Not even when he finally stood in front of me, so close I could feel the warmth radiating from him.

"You should have waited for me," he said quietly.

I bristled. "I wasn't aware you intended to join me."

His lips curved not quite a smile. "You should have asked."

Before I could answer, he turned and suddenly, his hand was at my waist. A firm, possessive touch as he guided me forward, his grip light but unyielding. The room watched in stunned silence.

"Let them look," Kaelen murmured against my ear. His breath was warm, his voice soft. "They'll have to get used to seeing you at my side."

"Is that where you intend to keep me?" I asked, matching his tone. "At your side?"

For a moment, there was no answer. But his fingers tightened just slightly.

"Where else would you belong?"

We dined together that evening in the private chambers of the palace just the two of us. The table was long and the silence even longer. I ate carefully, aware of every glance Kaelen sent my way. He didn't seem like a man who was used to company at his table.

Finally, I couldn't take the quiet any longer. "Why did you marry me?" I asked.

His golden eyes lifted to mine. "Because it was necessary."

"Not because you wanted to?"

He set his knife down with a quiet clink. "I don't think either of us had much choice."

Fair enough. "And now that you have me?"

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then: "Now… I keep you."

It wasn't a romantic answer. It wasn't even a kind one. But the way he said it low and sure made my skin prickle.

"What exactly does that mean?" I asked carefully.

Kaelen leaned back in his chair, studying me. "It means you're under my protection. No one in this court will dare touch you. But it also means you belong to me now, Adrien. In every way that matters."

The words were a warning. And maybe a promise.

I met his gaze head-on. "And if I don't want to belong to anyone?"

He smiled then a slow, dangerous curve of his mouth.

"Then you shouldn't have married the Demon Prince."