Chapter 3 THE PRICE OF SECRETS

Moonlight spilled through the trees, casting shadows over the secluded clearing where Seraphina and Adrian stood frozen.

Kael leaned casually against a marble pillar, arms crossed, his storm-gray eyes unreadable but the silence between them was deadly.

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat. How long had he been standing there?

Adrian shifted subtly, placing himself just a step in front of her a quiet act of defiance.

Kael noticed.

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but there was no humor in it. "I thought I might find you here."

Seraphina forced her expression into careful neutrality. "You followed me?"

Kael pushed off the pillar, taking a slow step forward. "A future husband has every right to be curious about his bride's late-night activities." His gaze flickered to Adrian. "And her... company."

Adrian's fists clenched at his sides. "Watch your words, Kael."

The warning hung in the air like a blade waiting to fall.

Kael chuckled, but his eyes never lost their sharpness. "So protective, aren't you, brother?" He let the word drag out, mocking. "I wonder are you guarding her honor, or your own heart?"

Adrian took a step forward, but Seraphina's hand shot out, gripping his wrist. A silent plea don't.

Kael tilted his head, watching her. "Ah. So you're the one keeping him in check." His gaze lingered on where her hand touched Adrian's skin before he let out a quiet sigh. "How unfortunate."

Seraphina lifted her chin, forcing steel into her voice. "You misunderstand, Your Highness."

"Do I?" Kael's tone was light, but his eyes held something dangerous.

A long, heavy silence stretched between them.

Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, Kael clasped his hands behind his back and took another step closer. "Tell me, Princess-does your father know you slip away into the night with other men?"

Seraphina's pulse roared in her ears.

A threat. A test.

If she denied it too quickly, he would know she was lying. If she admitted anything, she would be sealing her own fate.

She met Kael's gaze without flinching. "There is nothing improper about my friendship with Prince Adrian."

Kael smiled, as if amused. "A careful answer."

He studied her for a moment longer before finally stepping back. "I have no wish to cause a scene, Princess. After all, we will be husband and wife soon." He glanced at Adrian. "And I'd hate for any... misunderstandings to complicate things."

The warning was clear.

Without another word, Kael turned on his heel and strode back toward the palace.

Seraphina released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

Adrian, however, was seething.

"That bastard," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "He knows."

Seraphina swallowed. "He suspects."

"There's no difference," Adrian snapped. "He's testing us, waiting for us to slip."

She turned to face him fully. "Which means we can't slip."

Adrian exhaled sharply, frustration clear in every tense line of his body. "And how do you expect me to do that, Seraphina?" His voice was low, raw. "How do you expect me to stand back and watch you marry him?"

A sharp ache pierced through her chest. "Do you think this is easy for me?"

Adrian stared at her, something breaking in his eyes. "Then don't do it."

Seraphina closed her eyes for a brief second, willing herself not to fall apart. "I have no choice."

"You do." Adrian took a step closer. "We do."

She wanted to believe that. Gods, she wanted to.

But Kael's presence still lingered in the air, a reminder of the reality they couldn't escape.

Seraphina reached up, hesitating before brushing her fingertips against Adrian's cheek-one last stolen touch before she had to bury her feelings again.

"I have to go."

Adrian caught her hand, holding it for just a second longer. "Seraphina-"

She stepped back before she lost all reason. "Goodnight, Adrian."

Then she turned and walked away, leaving her heart behind in the moonlit garden.

Seraphina's footsteps echoed against the stone pathways as she forced herself to walk away. Every step was a battle, every breath a silent war against the storm raging inside her.

Behind her, she knew Adrian was still standing there watching, waiting, wanting. But she couldn't turn back. Not tonight.

Not ever.

The palace loomed ahead, its golden spires gleaming under the moonlight. But as she reached the entrance, her pulse lurched.

Kael was waiting.

He leaned against one of the marble columns, arms crossed, looking entirely at ease-as if he had all the time in the world to unravel her secrets.

Seraphina steadied herself before stepping forward. "Couldn't find more suitable company?" she asked coolly.

Kael smirked, pushing off the column. "On the contrary. I find this company rather... interesting."

Seraphina would not give him the satisfaction of reacting. "I'm tired, Your Highness. If you'll excuse me"

Kael moved, quick as a shadow, blocking her path. "I don't believe I will."

A flicker of irritation flared in her chest, but she kept her voice measured. "What do you want?"

Kael studied her for a long moment before speaking. "Tell me, Princess how long have you and Adrian been playing this little game?"

Seraphina's blood turned to ice.

Her grip on her skirts tightened, but she refused to break his gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kael let out a quiet chuckle. "You're an impressive liar, I'll give you that." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "But not good enough."

Seraphina's heart pounded.

Does he know? Or was he merely testing her again?

She took a slow breath. "You're mistaken, Your Highness. Prince Adrian is my brother in all but blood."

Kael tilted his head, considering her. "Ah. Brother."

His voice curled around the word like it was something filthy.

Seraphina kept her expression neutral. "Say what you mean, Kael."

He let the silence stretch, tension crackling between them like a drawn bowstring.

Then, at last, he smiled. "I mean this, Princess-" He reached out, his fingers grazing a loose strand of her hair. "I don't care what you do, or who you do it with."

Seraphina flinched at the boldness of his touch, but Kael only smirked.

"As long as you remember one thing." His voice dropped lower, sharp as a blade. "You are mine now."

Rage flickered through her, quick and dangerous. "I am not yours, Kael. I am a pawn in this game, just as you are."

Kael chuckled. "Perhaps. But when the game is won, pawns don't rule the board."

His meaning was clear.

He was going to be king.

And once they were married, Seraphina would be his queen-but never his equal.

A slow, icy dread curled in her stomach.

Kael took a step back, as if satisfied with her silence. "Goodnight, Princess."

Then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the palace halls.

Seraphina let out a shaky breath, gripping the column for support.

Kael wasn't just testing her.

He was warning her.

And if she wasn't careful, she wouldn't just lose Adrian-she would lose herself.