The silence between them stretched like a blade. Ariana sat trembling on the floor, her silver chains flickering faintly, while Kael remained crouched before her, his golden eyes unyielding.
Her confession—the vision of her mother screaming—hung between them like a curse.
For the first time in a long time, Kael didn’t try to hold her. He didn’t demand her submission, didn’t even reach out to touch her. He only watched. Calculating.
Because beneath the fury and anguish burning in Ariana’s eyes, Kael saw something dangerous: hope.
If her mother was alive, Ariana would search for her.
And if Ariana searched…she might find truths Kael wasn’t ready to let her see.
He couldn’t allow that.
Not yet.
Not until he controlled the outcome.
Kael rose, his massive frame casting a shadow across
