I let Aeliana lead me to a quieter spot, somewhere far from the chaos I'd created. The adrenaline was still coursing through me, every nerve buzzing with anger and regret.
I wanted to turn around, to go back and give Nathaniel another punch just for good measure, but Aeliana's hand was wrapped around mine, her fingers warm and firm, and it anchored me, kept me from losing myself completely in the rage.
We stopped under a sprawling oak tree, its leaves whispering softly in the breeze. The world around us felt muted, the sounds of the castle fading into a distant hum.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, but my thoughts were still spinning, my fists still clenched at my sides.
I wished I'd hit him harder. I wished I'd knocked that smug grin right off his face. I could still feel the satisfaction of my fist connecting with his jaw, the way his head had snapped back, and it wasn't enough. It would never be enough until he knew to stay the hell away from Aeliana.
She turned to me, her eyes searching mine, and I could see the worry etched on her face, the way her brows furrowed just slightly.
She took a deep breath, as if preparing herself to say something, but I didn't want to hear it. I couldn't bear to hear whatever rational, reasonable thing she was about to say.
So I did the only thing I could think of to shut her up. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to me, crashing my lips against hers with a force that matched the storm brewing inside me.
She gasped against my mouth, but she didn't pull away. Her hands found my shoulders, gripping tight as if trying to steady herself. I kissed her harder, pouring all my frustration, all my anger, all my fear into that kiss.
She responded, her lips moving with mine, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. The world around us seemed to disappear, the only thing that mattered was the feel of her against me, the way her body fit perfectly against mine.
My hands roamed, sliding up her back, tangling in her hair, and I could feel the heat building between us, a fire that threatened to consume everything.
But then, just as suddenly as it had started, she pulled back, her breath ragged, her eyes wide with something between desire and caution. "Ciara," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "we can't… not here… not like this."
I let out a frustrated groan, my hands still gripping her waist. "Why not?" I demanded, my voice rough with need. "Why the hell not, Aeliana?"
She placed a hand on my chest, a gentle but firm pressure that made me pause. "Because," she said softly, "I don't want us to be something born out of anger or fear. I want… I want it to be right."
Her words cut through the fog of my emotions, and I felt a pang of guilt. She was right, of course. I knew she was right. But that didn't make it any easier to accept. I leaned my forehead against hers, closing my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.
"Fine," I muttered, my voice still laced with frustration. "But you make it so damn hard, Aeliana."
She gave a soft laugh, her hand gently stroking my cheek. "You make everything hard, Ciara," she replied, her tone teasing but affectionate. And damn if that didn't make me want to kiss her again.
Before I could act on that thought, a servant appeared, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Lady Aeliana," he said, trying to look anywhere but at us, "you're needed back at the hall with Leora."
Aeliana sighed, a look of regret passing over her features. She glanced back at me, her eyes lingering on my lips for just a moment too long. "I have to go," she said softly.
I nodded, biting back the urge to tell her to stay, to forget about whatever the hell Leora wanted and just stay with me. But I knew that wasn't fair. She had responsibilities, things she needed to do. And I couldn't be the one to hold her back, no matter how much I wanted to.
"Go," I said, my voice gruff. "I'll be fine."
She gave me a small smile, squeezing my hand one last time before turning to leave with the servant. I watched her go, my chest tight with a mixture of frustration and longing. And anger. Always anger.
Once she was out of sight, I felt the rage start to bubble up again. Nathaniel. That bastard. I couldn't let him get away with what he'd done, couldn't let him think he could just walk around touching Aeliana like she was some prize he could claim.
No, I needed to make sure he knew exactly where he stood.
I turned on my heel, my mind set. I was going to find him, and I was going to finish what I started.
It didn't take long to track him down. He was alone in one of the castle corridors, leaning against the wall as if he had all the time in the world. He looked up as I approached, and I saw a flicker of fear in his eyes. Good. He should be afraid.
"Ciara," he started, but I didn't give him a chance to say anything else. I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall, my face inches from his.
"You think this is over?" I hissed, my voice low and dangerous. "You think you can just touch her, just hold her, and there won't be consequences?"
He tried to speak, but I didn't let him. My fist connected with his stomach, and he doubled over, gasping for air. I felt a grim satisfaction at the sight of him struggling, at the way his face twisted in pain.
"You don't get to look at her, you don't get to talk to her, and you sure as hell don't get to touch her," I snarled, pulling him back up by his shirt. "Do you understand me?"
He coughed, blood dripping from his mouth, but he still managed a weak smile. "Is that jealousy I hear, Ciara?" he wheezed, his voice taunting even through the pain. "Afraid you're not enough for her?"
That was it. My vision went red, and I swung my fist again, this time catching him on the jaw. He stumbled back, his head hitting the wall with a sickening thud. I didn't stop.
I couldn't stop. I hit him again and again, each punch harder than the last, my knuckles splitting, the blood mixing with his.
He tried to block, but he was too weak, too slow. I had the upper hand, and I wasn't going to let up until he knew his place. I grabbed him by the hair, forcing his head up to look at me.
"You stay the fuck away from her," I growled, my voice barely recognizable. "Or I swear to the gods, I'll make you regret it."
He spat blood onto the floor, his eyes narrowing. "You think this will make her love you?" he taunted, a bloody grin spreading across his face. "You think beating me up will make her choose you?"
I tightened my grip on his hair, my face inches from his. "She's already chosen, Nathaniel," I hissed. "And it's not you."
He chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "We'll see," he muttered, his voice laced with defiance. "Let's see who she will choose in the future."
I froze, his words cutting through me like a knife. For a moment, doubt flickered in my mind. What if he was right? What if this was all for nothing? But then I shook my head, pushing the doubt away. No. I wouldn't let him win. I wouldn't let him get in my head.
I released him, shoving him back against the wall one last time. "Stay the hell away from her," I warned, my voice cold and hard. "Or next time, I won't be so merciful."
And with that, I turned and walked away, leaving him bloody and broken in the corridor. I had done what I needed to do, and now… now I had to figure out what the hell came next.
As I turned to leave, I heard Nathaniel's strained voice, hoarse but sharp enough to pierce through the haze of my anger. "You should be careful, Ciara," he called out, a twisted smile on his bloody face. "Enemies aren't always where you expect them to be."
I paused for a fraction of a second, letting his words hang in the air. They were meant to rattle me, to make me doubt. But I'd be damned if I gave him the satisfaction of seeing that. Instead, I shot him a look over my shoulder, a smirk curling on my lips.
"Nice try," I muttered, my voice dripping with mockery, "but you'll have to do better than that."
With an angry flick of my wrist, I channeled the magic, feeling the familiar surge of power pulse through me. In an instant, I was gone from the cold castle corridor and back in the warmth of my own chambers, the shadows of my room swallowing me whole.
I exhaled sharply, tension still thrumming in my veins. Alone at last, I let my expression fall, my thoughts churning with too many questions, too many possibilities. But for now, I was home. And that was enough.