Chapter 8 THE COST OF PROTECTION

The estate never truly slept.

Elara realized this as the hours passed, the stillness of the night punctuated by subtle movements she could barely hear-footsteps soft against stone, the low murmur of voices carried by the wind, the hum of security systems she didn't understand but instinctively trusted.

She woke just before dawn, heart racing for no clear reason.

For a moment, she lay still, listening. Nothing felt wrong. No shouting. No doors slamming. No sharp voices slicing through the quiet. Yet unease clung to her, thin and persistent.

She rose slowly and padded toward the window.

Outside, a black car sat near the gates, its headlights cutting through the early morning fog.

Unease tightened her chest.

She dressed quickly and stepped into the hallway. The house felt different this morning-tense, alert. She followed the sound of voices down the stairs.

"...can't keep her hidden forever."

Rowan's voice.

"She doesn't need to be hidden," Kael replied. "She needs time."

"And enemies," Elias added dryly, "don't respect time."

Elara stopped at the corner, heart pounding.

"We have confirmation," Rowan continued. "Maribel Vale contacted two external parties last night. She's panicking."

Kael exhaled slowly. "Good."

"That confidence," Theo muttered, "is going to get someone hurt."

Elara stepped forward before she could stop herself. "What's happening?"

All eyes turned to her.

Kael's jaw tightened-not in anger, but concern. "You should be resting."

"I don't want to be kept in the dark," she said quietly. "Not again."

A long moment passed.

Kael nodded once. "Fair."

He gestured for her to sit.

"Maribel is attempting to regain control," he explained calmly. "Not over you directly-but over what she believes you represent."

"My father's estate," Elara whispered.

"Yes."

Her hands trembled slightly. "So I'm... leverage."

"You're not a tool," Kael said sharply, his restraint finally cracking. He stopped himself, inhaled slowly, and softened his tone. "But she sees you that way."

The truth hurt-but it also clarified.

"I don't want to run," Elara said. "I'm tired of being afraid."

Kael studied her carefully. "Bravery doesn't mean recklessness."

"I know," she replied. "But I need to feel like I exist in my own life."

Something shifted in his gaze.

"That's dangerous," Elias murmured, half to himself.

Kael ignored him. "What are you asking?"

"Teach me," Elara said. "How to stand."

Silence fell.

Finally, Kael nodded. "Alright."

The decision was heavy-and irreversible.

Later that afternoon, Kael insisted she accompany him into the city.

Not hidden.

Not disguised.

Visible.

The car ride was tense. Elara stared out the window as familiar streets passed by, fear curling in her stomach-but beneath it, something stronger stirred.

Resolve.

At the café where she'd once sat trembling, Kael ordered coffee as if daring the world to look too closely.

"This is a mistake," Rowan muttered into his phone.

Kael met Elara's gaze. "Tell me if you want to leave."

She didn't.

A woman near the counter glanced their way, recognition flickering across her face. Elara felt it like a spotlight.

Then her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number

You think hiding behind him will save you?

Her blood ran cold.

She didn't show Kael immediately.

Instead, she straightened.

"No," she whispered to herself. "I don't."

She turned the screen toward him.

Kael read the message once.

Twice.

The temperature around him dropped several degrees.

"This was expected," he said quietly.

"But you're angry," she noted.

"Yes," Kael admitted. "Because they touched you."

He stood, placing cash on the table. "We're done here."

Outside, sirens wailed faintly in the distance.

Back at the estate, Rowan confirmed what Kael already suspected.

"She hired someone," Rowan said grimly. "Surveillance. Intimidation."

Kael's hand curled slowly into a fist.

"This ends now," he said.

Elara met his gaze, fear and trust colliding inside her.

"Am I still allowed to choose?" she asked.

Kael stepped closer-but stopped at a careful distance.

"Yes," he said. "Always."

She nodded.

Then she did something neither of them expected.

She reached for his hand.

Just barely.

Kael stilled, breath catching for a fraction of a second before he gently closed his fingers around hers.

Not possession.

Not control.

Solidarity.

And in that quiet moment, Kael realized the truth he had been avoiding:

Protecting Elara would cost him far more than power.

It would cost him control.

...