Celestine'a POV
I held Kaelen’s formidable face cradled tenderly between my hands, my thumb moving in a slow, almost hypnotic rhythm sliding along the taut line of his jaw as I deliberately drew him into yet another lingering, slow kiss. His lips tasted of familiar steadiness, patience, a hint of reserve—he was always, instinctively guarded—and I perfectly matched him with softness, allowing a genuine-looking warmth to spill through every calculated gesture, as if this intense moment existed for no other purpose than the simple, pure act of loving him.
But beneath the surface of the intense affection, my mind was ruthlessly sorting through everything my mother had stated. He interfered. He got in the way. If he’s not fully aligned with the greater agenda, then rein him in—any way you mus
