The palace was no longer safe.
Lyra felt it in every step she took.
Guards now followed her—two at a distance, always watching, always alert. The silent reminder of last night's attack clung to her like a shadow she couldn't escape.
But what unsettled her more…
Was him.
Kael.
His words from the night before echoed in her mind.
"I won't allow it."
Why?
Why would he care?
He had rejected her.
Made it clear she meant nothing.
So why did his touch still linger on her skin?
Why did her heart still react?
Lyra exhaled sharply, trying to clear her thoughts as she entered the palace courtyard.
Morning training had already begun.
Warriors moved across the field, swords clashing, bodies shifting with precision and strength.
It was loud.
Alive.
Real.
Unlike the suffocating silence of the palace.
She stepped forward slowly, watching them.
"You shouldn't be here."
Lyra turned.
A tall man approached her, his expression calm but slightly concerned.
He looked like one of the high-ranking warriors—broad shoulders, steady gaze, confident stance.
"And why not?" Lyra asked.
"This area isn't for nobles," he replied. "It can be dangerous."
Lyra gave a faint, almost bitter smile.
"I think I've already experienced dangerous."
The man studied her for a moment… then nodded slightly.
"Fair point."
A small pause.
"I'm Ronan," he said. "Captain of the royal guard."
Lyra hesitated, then nodded.
"Lyra."
His lips curved slightly.
"I know."
For the first time that morning, something felt… normal.
Human.
"You handled yourself well last night," Ronan continued. "Most wouldn't have survived that."
Lyra looked away slightly.
"I didn't have a choice."
"You did," he said. "You chose to fight."
His words lingered.
Before she could respond—
A sudden shift in the air made her body go still.
Cold.
Heavy.
Dominant.
She didn't need to turn.
She already knew.
Kael.
"Captain."
His voice cut through the courtyard.
Ronan straightened immediately. "Your Majesty."
Lyra slowly turned.
Kael stood a few steps away, dressed in dark training clothes, his presence commanding attention without effort.
But his eyes—
His eyes weren't on Ronan.
They were on her.
Sharp.
Focused.
Unreadable.
Then they shifted briefly to Ronan.
And something changed.
Subtle.
But dangerous.
"You seem… comfortable," Kael said.
The words were calm.
But the tone wasn't.
Lyra frowned slightly. "We were just talking."
"I can see that."
Silence.
Ronan stepped back slightly. "Your Majesty, I was only—"
"Return to your duties," Kael interrupted.
Ronan hesitated for a second… then bowed.
"Yes, my King."
He left.
Just like that.
Lyra watched him go, then turned back to Kael.
"Was that necessary?" she asked.
Kael stepped closer.
"Do you trust him?"
The question caught her off guard.
"What?"
"Do you trust him?" he repeated.
Lyra blinked.
"I just met him."
"Exactly."
She frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Kael's jaw tightened slightly.
"You were alone with a man you don't know," he said. "After someone tried to kill you."
Lyra crossed her arms.
"And yet I survived."
"That doesn't make it wise."
"And controlling me doesn't make it right."
The tension between them snapped tight.
Kael stepped even closer.
Too close.
"Everything around you right now is a threat," he said, his voice low and intense. "Including people who smile in your face."
Lyra held her ground.
"And what about you?" she asked.
Silence.
The question lingered between them.
Dangerous.
Unavoidable.
Kael's eyes darkened slightly.
"I'm not your enemy."
The words were quiet.
But heavy.
Lyra's heart betrayed her again, skipping slightly.
"You rejected me," she said softly. "That felt like an enemy."
Something flickered in his expression.
Something almost… regretful.
But it disappeared too quickly.
"That doesn't change your position," he said.
"And what position is that?"
Kael didn't hesitate.
"You are mine to protect."
The words hit differently this time.
Not cold.
Not distant.
Something else.
Possessive.
Lyra's breath caught.
"I'm not yours," she said quickly.
But her voice lacked strength.
Kael noticed.
Of course he did.
He stepped even closer, his gaze locking onto hers.
"Then why," he said softly, "does your heart react every time I'm near?"
Her chest tightened.
"You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
His hand lifted slowly—
Then stopped just short of touching her.
Like he was holding himself back.
The tension was unbearable.
Electric.
Dangerous.
Lyra couldn't breathe.
"Stay away from other men," he said quietly.
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
Kael's gaze hardened.
"That wasn't a request."
Silence.
Then—
Lyra let out a soft, disbelieving laugh.
"You don't want me," she said. "But you don't want anyone else near me either?"
His jaw tightened.
"That's not your concern."
"It is my concern!" she snapped. "You don't get to control me just because—"
"Because you're my wife."
The words slammed into her.
Hard.
Final.
Unavoidable.
Lyra's breath trembled.
"This marriage means nothing," she whispered.
Kael stepped closer again—
Now there was no space left between them.
"Then why are you shaking?" he murmured.
Her heart raced wildly.
"I'm not—"
"You are."
His voice dropped lower.
Dangerous.
Soft.
"You can lie to me," he said, "but you can't lie to yourself."
Lyra swallowed hard.
Every instinct told her to step back.
To run.
But she didn't move.
She couldn't.
Something held her there.
Something stronger than pride.
Stronger than anger.
Stronger than pain.
And that terrified her.
Then—
Kael stepped back.
Just like always.
Breaking the moment before it could become something more.
"You'll train," he said suddenly.
Lyra blinked. "What?"
"With the guards," he continued. "Starting today."
She stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"You need to survive."
A pause.
Then—
"I won't always be there."
The words hit differently.
Lyra's expression softened slightly.
Just for a second.
Then she nodded.
"Fine."
Kael turned to leave—
Then stopped.
Without looking back, he said:
"Stay away from him."
Lyra frowned.
"Ronan?"
Kael didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
And then—
He walked away.
Leaving her standing there…
Confused.
Frustrated.
And somehow…
Smiling.
Just a little.