The morning sun spilled through the large windows, casting a golden glow over the room. Esme stirred awake, feeling an unfamiliar warmth beside her. Kael.
She had barely slept, the weight of last night still pressing on her mind. Sharing a bed with him, being tucked in by him, hearing his firm, unwavering command—it was all too much. She was still trying to process it when a knock on the door broke her thoughts.
"Come in," Kael's deep voice rumbled before Esme could even react.
The door opened, and Lucan stepped in, his usual confident smirk in place. "Good morning, Esme."
Esme barely got a chance to respond before she felt Kael's hand casually snake around her waist under the covers, pulling her close. She stiffened as his grip tightened, his message clear.
Lucan raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to Kael's hold on Esme. "Looks like someone woke up in a possessive mood."
Kael smirked, his fingers lazily tracing circles on Esme's hip as if staking his claim. "She's my wife. It's only natural."
Esme's breath hitched. What was he doing?
Lucan chuckled, but Esme caught the flicker of something in his eyes—amusement, maybe even irritation. That's when she decided.
Two can play this game.
She pulled away from Kael's grasp, slipping out of bed. "Lucan, would you mind accompanying me for breakfast?" she asked, tilting her head with a sweet smile.
Kael's jaw clenched.
Lucan, sensing the tension, smirked. "Of course."
Esme turned toward the bathroom to freshen up, but before she could take another step, Kael was in front of her, blocking her path.
His dark eyes burned into hers. "You're not going anywhere with him."
Esme folded her arms, feigning innocence. "Why not?"
Kael's lips curled into a dangerous smirk as he reached for her chin, tilting her face up to his. "Because I said so."
Lucan scoffed. "Didn't realize marriage turned you into a prison guard."
Kael's gaze didn't waver from Esme. "She's mine."
Esme's heart pounded at the way he said it—possessive, unwavering. She swallowed, determined not to let him win. "I don't belong to anyone, Kael."
His smirk deepened. "Oh? Then why did you let me touch you the way I did last night?"
Esme's cheeks burned. "Y-You—"
Kael leaned in, his lips brushing against the shell of her ear as he whispered, "You don't get to make me jealous, Esme. I'll always win."
Esme inhaled sharply as he pulled away, his hand pressing lightly against her lower back as he guided her toward the closet. "Get dressed. We're having breakfast together."
Lucan's amused chuckle echoed through the room as Esme shot him a helpless glare.
Kael wasn't just possessive.
He was completely, undeniably in control.
****. ****. ****.