As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Kael’s low chuckle.
His laughter was intoxicating, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate through his chest-and somehow, through me as well.
Still chuckling, Kael said, “No rush, Seraphina. Weren’t you the one who wasn’t in a hurry earlier? Let me help you clean up first.”
The meaning behind his words hit me instantly. Kael wasn’t touching me because he was punishing me.
Earlier, when he wanted me, I had refused him. Now, when he had me yearning, aching for him, he wouldn’t give me what I wanted.
“You’re so petty,” I muttered under my breath.
In response, Kael’s hand slid into my body, his lips brushing against the sensitive curve of my neck.
The intimacy of the moment sent shivers racing through my entire being. My legs fell open instinctively, his touch igniting a desperate hunger within me.
“What do you mean, petty? Me?” Kael laughed softly, his voice dripping with amusement. “Then perhaps I should commit to being petty all the way.”
And with that, he pulled away from me.
The absence of his touch left me hollow, aching.
Damn it. If he hadn’t teased me so mercilessly, maybe I wouldn’t feel this way. But now, after everything, my body was hypersensitive, craving him desperately-yet he refused to give me what I wanted.
The void he left behind was unbearable, and I couldn’t help but lean toward him. My arms wrapped around his neck as I tried to close the gap between us.
I wanted to kiss him, to coax him into giving me more.
But Kael stopped me, his hand pressing firmly against me to hold me in place.
There was a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked at me. “No, Seraphina.”
I pressed myself against him, my body moving instinctively against his. “Take me, Kael,” I whispered, my voice a mix of frustration and longing.
I heard his low groan, and for a moment, I thought I had broken through his resolve.
But Kael didn’t move.
Anger bubbled up inside me. How could he still resist when things had already gone this far?
Did I no longer have any power over him? No, I refused to believe that.
Determined, I pressed myself against him more insistently, feeling his body tense and shudder beneath my touch.
I could tell that Kael was struggling to hold himself back.
If he could endure this, then why couldn’t I?
With that thought, I pulled away from him and climbed out of the bathtub.
“I’m done. I’ll rinse off and head to bed,” I said, deliberately turning my back on him.
I knew Kael wouldn’t last long.
And as I expected, the next moment, his hand shot out to grab me.
He pulled me back into his arms, and before I could say another word, he entered me with an intensity that took my breath away.
The emptiness I’d felt was instantly replaced with him, filling me completely.
God, his sudden movement, so unexpected and overwhelming, sent shockwaves through my body.
I couldn’t even think. My whole being was consumed by him.
Kael held me tightly, his heat searing against my skin as he moved with relentless passion.
I felt like a toy in his hands, completely at his mercy.
But I loved it.
This time was different from before. We were still in the bathtub, and the novelty of it all made the experience even more thrilling.
Each climax was more intense than the last, leaving me trembling and breathless.
I had no idea how much time passed before I finally collapsed, utterly spent.
Kael held me close, his touch surprisingly gentle as he cleaned me up.
Then, he carried me to the bed.
The mattress was unbelievably soft, as if it had been crafted from clouds.
As I sank into its embrace, I felt a deep sense of comfort and relaxation.
Kael lay down beside me, leaning in to press a tender kiss to my lips.
“Sleep, Seraphina,” he murmured.
He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against him, as though he never wanted to let me go.
I felt the warmth of his body envelop me, his steady heartbeat lulling me into a sense of peace.
But even as I lay there, my mind began to wander.
We were supposed to be the closest people in the world, yet an unsettling thought crept into my consciousness.
“Kill Kael. Kill Kael. His existence will destroy you. You must kill him.”
The words echoed in my mind like a dark whisper, urging me toward violence.
I looked at Kael, his face peaceful in sleep.
Until now, I had always felt safe lying beside him. I adored the way his arms wrapped around me, making me feel protected.
But now, as I gazed at his bare chest, the sight of his strong, steady heartbeat beneath his skin filled my mind with disturbing ideas.
If I tore out his heart, he would die instantly.
And if he were dead, I wouldn’t have to worry about him hurting me.
The whisper returned, insistent and persuasive.
“Do it, Seraphina. Kill him. Once he’s gone, you’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted. You’ll be the most powerful person in the world.”
The voice was seductive, filling my thoughts with promises of strength and control.
My hand moved to Kael’s chest, resting over his heart.
He stirred slightly, but instead of pulling away, he took my hand and pressed it closer against him, as though he trusted me completely.
My eyes widened. I couldn’t do it.
But the voice persisted.
“Hurry, Seraphina. Don’t you want to be the strongest? Imagine the power, the freedom. You can control everything, everyone.”
“I don’t need that,” I whispered to myself, confusion settling over me. “I just want a simple life.”
The voice faltered for a moment, but then it spoke again, more insistent this time.
“You’ll never have a simple life, not as long as Kael is alive. Kill him, and you can finally be free.”
Freedom.
The word echoed in my mind, filling me with a mix of fear and longing.
I stared at the man sleeping beside me, the man who had made me feel so many things-love, desire, frustration, and now, doubt.
My thoughts darkened as the voice continued to coax me.
If I killed Kael, I could finally escape this strange, dangerous world.
My nails suddenly grew longer, sharper, taking on a deadly edge.