Bound by Midnight blood

The Fall

The day had been like any other—except it wasn’t. Ivy had gone about her routine, distracted and restless, trying to ignore the pull that Kael’s presence seemed to have on her. But when the water hit her skin in the shower, the world spun in a dizzying blur, and the next thing she knew, she was crumpled on the floor.

Her breath came in sharp gasps, pain radiating from her back where she had hit the edge of the tub. The cold tiles beneath her only made the agony worse, but it wasn’t the physical pain that was overwhelming—it was the sense of helplessness, the feeling of being utterly alone in this moment.

That’s when she heard it. A knock on the bathroom door.

“Ivy?”

Her body stiffened. It was Kael.

“I’m fine,” she called, trying to hide the panic in her voice. She didn’t want him to see her like this—not now, not when she was already unraveling. But his footsteps came closer, the sound of his boots against the floor echoing through the room.

“I don’t think so.” His voice was calm but firm. “Let me in.”

She had no choice. She could barely stand on her own.

Kael opened the door, his silver eyes scanning her body quickly before his gaze softened with concern. He stepped into the bathroom, moving toward her with an easy confidence. He had been here before, when things were rough, but this time it felt different. The way he looked at her, the way his gaze lingered on her bare skin, made her pulse race.

“Don’t move,” he instructed softly, kneeling beside her, his broad shoulders blocking the light from the door as he crouched down.

She couldn’t help but feel exposed. The coolness of the tile pressed against her bare legs, her t-shirt clinging to her skin, soaked from the water, and her underwear, damp and shifting as she moved. Kael’s eyes lingered for a moment longer than necessary, and Ivy couldn’t look away. The tension between them thickened, a quiet, unspoken understanding passing through the air.

“You’re hurt,” Kael said, his voice low, and there was no trace of his usual teasing smirk. He was serious now, his gaze intense as he assessed her injuries.

“It’s not that bad,” Ivy protested, though she could already feel the throbbing in her back, the way her muscles had tightened after the fall. She winced as she tried to sit up, her body protesting the movement.

Kael was quick to stop her. His hand was warm against her arm, steady and comforting. “Let me help,” he insisted, his eyes narrowing as if he was assessing more than just the injury.

Ivy hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. She didn’t want to admit it, but she knew she couldn’t take care of herself right now—not like this. She could barely stand without feeling lightheaded.

Kael’s movements were slow, deliberate, as he helped her up, his strong arms supporting her. She couldn’t stop herself from shivering as his fingers brushed over her skin, his touch lingering too long on the curve of her waist.

“Where does it hurt?” he asked softly, his voice just above a whisper as he guided her out of the bathroom, leading her toward her bedroom.

“My back,” Ivy admitted quietly, her breath hitching as she tried to find a more comfortable position. She felt exposed, vulnerable—like she was being peeled open in ways she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

Kael didn’t respond right away. Instead, he pulled the covers back, making room for her to sit down. Ivy reluctantly sank onto the bed, her skin still damp, her hair clinging to her neck. She could feel the heat radiating from his body as he hovered just a few inches from her.

He stood over her for a moment, studying her with an intensity that made her breath catch. His eyes trailed over her, lingering on the way the fabric of her t-shirt clung to her body.

“Let me see,” he said, gently pulling at the hem of her t-shirt, his fingers brushing against her skin as he lifted it over her head.

Ivy's heart raced in her chest. She couldn’t decide whether to protest or let him do what he needed to. Part of her wanted to run, to hide from the way his eyes made her feel, but the other part wanted to stay, to let him take control.

The fabric of her t-shirt slid over her skin, exposing her to him in a way she wasn’t used to. The cool air in the room hit her skin like a jolt, causing goosebumps to rise, and she could feel Kael’s gaze on her, lingering in a way that sent a rush of warmth through her.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Kael said, his voice soft, but there was something in his tone that made her stomach flutter. “I’m here to help. Just breathe.”

She didn’t know why, but she believed him.

Ivy closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on the steady rise and fall of her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. She could feel the tension between them growing, the unspoken connection, the undeniable heat. Her mind fought against it, but her body responded to him, instinctively leaning toward him as if she needed him to heal her, to make everything feel okay again.

Kael’s hands were gentle as he worked, his touch light against the bare skin of her back. He didn’t press too hard, but he made sure to avoid the bruises and the sore spots. As he worked, his fingers brushed against her skin in ways that made her want to pull away but also made her crave more.

She couldn’t deny it anymore—Kael had a power over her that no one else did. She wanted him. She needed him.

But she couldn’t have him. Not like this.

Not now.