Kael watched Esme disappear into the house with Lucan, his jaw set tight, his hands still clenched at his sides.
She was playing a dangerous game.
And she knew it.
Kael had expected resistance from her, but this—this outright defiance, this taunting, this deliberate attempt to get under his skin—was something else. She was challenging him, testing the limits of his patience.
Fine.
If she wanted a war, he'd give her one.
With a slow breath, Kael turned on his heel and strode into the house, heading straight for his study. He needed a moment to think—to regain control over the situation before Esme twisted it any further.
Esme, on the other hand, was enjoying every second of Kael's frustration.
Walking arm-in-arm with Lucan through the estate, she made sure to laugh a little louder than usual, to engage him in conversation that kept them close. She wasn't stupid—she knew exactly what she was doing.
"That was quite the entrance," Lucan mused, side-eyeing her with amusement.
Esme smirked. "I thought the house needed some excitement."
Lucan chuckled, shaking his head. "And you enjoy testing my dear cousin's patience, don't you?"
"Very much."
Lucan stopped walking, turning to face her fully. His playful expression softened slightly as he studied her. "Esme," he said, voice quieter, "are you sure you know what you're doing?"
Her smirk faltered, just for a second.
Did she?
She had spent so much time pushing Kael, trying to get under his skin, trying to break through that cold, emotionless mask he always wore. But what happened if she actually succeeded?
If she actually broke him?
Esme shook off the thought. "Don't worry about me, Lucan," she said lightly. "I know exactly what I'm doing."
Lucan didn't seem convinced, but he let it go, offering her a knowing smile instead. "Then by all means, continue your little war."
And she would.
Because if Kael thought he could control everything, if he thought he could dictate how this marriage would go—he had another thing coming.
Later that evening, Esme was in the bedroom, fresh out of a bath, wrapped in a silk robe, when the door swung open without warning.
Kael.
His presence filled the room instantly, dark and imposing. He wasn't wearing his usual suit—just a fitted black shirt with the top buttons undone, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing the veins in his forearms.
Esme remained seated at the vanity, her fingers slowly running through her damp hair, pretending not to be fazed by his sudden entrance. "Ever heard of knocking?" she asked, meeting his gaze in the mirror.
Kael didn't answer. He simply shut the door behind him, locking it.
A warning.
Esme's heartbeat picked up, but she refused to show it. Instead, she turned in her seat, facing him head-on. "What do you want?"
Kael tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes scanning her, reading her. "You're quite bold these days, aren't you?"
Esme crossed her legs, arching a brow. "I could say the same about you, inviting Sophia to the mansion like that."
Kael exhaled sharply, amused. "You're jealous."
Esme scoffed. "You wish."
In the next second, Kael was in front of her, gripping the arms of the chair, trapping her in place. His scent, dark and intoxicating, wrapped around her, stealing the air from her lungs.
"If you weren't jealous," Kael murmured, voice low, "why did you kiss me?"
Esme's stomach flipped, but she refused to let him have the upper hand. She leaned forward, their lips just inches apart. "Maybe I just wanted to prove a point."
Kael's jaw twitched, his grip on the chair tightening. "You think this is a game, Esme?"
She smirked. "Isn't it?"
Kael's eyes darkened. In a swift motion, he grabbed her chin, tilting her face up to his. His touch wasn't rough, but it was firm, controlled.
"You don't know what you're playing with," he warned, voice dangerously soft.
Esme held his gaze, refusing to look away. "Then show me."
A challenge.
Kael's grip on her tightened for a brief moment, his jaw clenching as if fighting the urge to give in. But instead of responding, he let go abruptly and stepped back.
Esme almost hated how disappointed she felt.
Kael turned away, running a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Get dressed. We're discussing wedding plans with my family tomorrow."
Esme blinked. "That's what you came here to say?"
Kael glanced at her over his shoulder, his expression unreadable. "Yes."
Liar.
But before she could say anything, he was gone, leaving her alone in the room, her skin still tingling from his touch.
Esme let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
This war between them had just reached a new level.
And she wasn't sure either of them would come out of it unscathed.
****. ****. ****.