Chapter 44

Kaden watched us, his expression full of tenderness. He understood what Merilla meant to me, how much I had lost, and how much I was slowly beginning to regain. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to feel hope again.

That night, Merilla slept soundly next to me on the bed, her small body curled up against my side. Even Luka, usually alert and ready to pounce, had relaxed, sprawling comfortably across the rug at the foot of the bed. His soft snores filled the quiet room, adding to the strange sense of peace that had settled over me.

I turned my head slightly, my gaze drifting to the side. Kaden was still there, sitting in a wooden Victorian chair just beside the bed. His head was tilted back, eyes closed, and his arms were folded across his chest.
The way he sat, with his body slumped and his muscles tense, told me he was uncomfortable, but he refused to leave my side. It was as if he was afraid I might disappear again if he looked away for even a moment.

I lay there quietly, watching him. His strong, handsome features were softened by the moonlight, casting gentle shadows across his face. I found myself tracing the lines of his jaw, his lips, his dark hair tousled from hours of keeping watch over me. Something stirred inside me, a feeling I hadn’t noticed before—or maybe I was just too stubborn and afraid to let myself see it.

A warmth simmered in my chest, pulling me toward him in a way I couldn’t quite understand. It was like a gentle tug, a connection that felt as natural as breathing. For so long, I had been wrong about him. I had seen him as nothing more than a cold, ruthless barbarian, no better than Hezron or his father, Kyrell. They were cruel, always looking at me with hunger and malice, their intentions as dark as their souls.

But Kaden was different. When he looked at me, there was something else in his eyes—wonder, pride, and a fierce protectiveness that made my heart ache. He had never once treated me as a possession or a plaything. He had kept his distance when I needed space, even when I could see the desire burning in his eyes. I thought he was being cruel when he locked me in his chamber, but looking back now, I realized he had been doing it to keep me safe.

He slept on that uncomfortable couch every night, always keeping watch, never once crossing a line. There were moments when I thought he might, when his gaze would linger on me a second too long, or when his touch would send sparks skittering across my skin. But he always pulled back, showing a restraint that left me bewildered and, oddly, relieved.

Kaden shifted in the chair, letting out a soft sigh as he adjusted his position. I watched him, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions I couldn’t name. He wasn’t the monster I had painted him to be. He was just a man, flawed and haunted, but kind and caring in ways I hadn’t allowed myself to see.

And now, lying there in the quiet of my new room, with Merilla and Luka close, I felt something crack inside me. A wall I had built brick by brick to keep everyone out, to protect myself, was starting to crumble. For the first time, I felt safe—not just physically, but safe to feel, to let myself care about someone again.

With that thought, I let my eyes close, allowing the warmth of Kaden’s presence to lull me into a peaceful sleep I hadn’t known in what felt like forever.


*****


The next morning, I woke to the sun already high in the sky. I had the most peaceful sleep I’d had in weeks, but it still felt like a dream—like I could wake up any moment and find myself back in Dravonia. I had never felt so weak and helpless as I did in that place. If this wasn’t a dream, I promised myself that I would find a way to train and learn to fight. One day, I would go back to Dravonia, and I wouldn’t be defenseless like the day Hezron captured me and my powers failed. I would train harder with Zaden and push aside my search for my real parents, at least until I found a way to save Claire and her people.

I turned my head toward the chair where Kaden had slept last night, but he wasn’t there. He was standing casually by the bookshelves with his hands behind his back, looking lost in thought. It was like he wasn’t really interested in the books at all.

“ Kaden,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, but he heard me. His head turned, and his eyes brightened when he saw me.

“ Little one, you’re finally awake,” he said softly, sounding relieved. I gave him a small smile.

“ I guess I am. I can’t remember the last time I had a full night’s rest.”

Something in his eyes shifted. The veins in his neck stood out as he clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening for a moment. He rubbed the back of his neck as he walked closer, like he was trying to gather the strength to say something. I stayed quiet, giving him the time he needed.

“ I have something to ask you, Little one,” he said, his hands lowering to his sides, turning into fists.
“ Okay,” I said, confused.

“ Have they…” he stopped, like the words were too painful to speak. “ Did those bastards take your innocence from you?” His voice was laced with fear and anger, his eyes searching mine for answers.

I shook my head. “No,” I said softly, turning my gaze away. I didn’t want to talk about what happened—not now. It was too soon.

Kaden sighed in relief. “ I am sorry, Little one,” he said tenderly.

I looked at him, puzzled. “ Sorry for what?”

“ For not being there the day of the Elemental Games. To protect you... To—” he suddenly stopped, turning his back to me. I felt a sudden urge to comfort him.

I climbed out of bed and walked over to him, gently reaching for his hand. As my fingers grazed his, a jolt of emotions shot through me. He turned, searching my eyes.

“ It’s not your fault. You did save me. I called for you, and somehow, I don’t know how, but you came, just in time. And for that, I thank you.”

His eyes roamed across my face, tracing the bruises with his finger until his thumb stopped on the one on my lower lip.

“ I should have come sooner,” he said in a low voice, filled with regret.

His thumb lingered on my lip; his touch gentle but filled with a sadness I hadn’t seen in him before. I could feel the weight of his guilt, heavy like a stone between us. I wanted to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, that he couldn’t have known what was happening, but the words felt stuck in my throat.

“ You came when I needed you most,” I whispered, trying to ease his pain. “ And that’s what matters.”

He stared at me, his eyes softening, the storm inside them calming just a little. His hand slid down from my face, his fingers brushing against my wrist, the skin still bruised from the chains. He winced at the sight, his anger flaring up again.

“ They will pay,” he said, his voice low but filled with a fierce promise. “ Every one of them.”

I nodded, not wanting to think about Dravonia, Hezron, or the horrors of that place anymore. Not now, not with Kaden standing here, holding my hand as if I was the most fragile thing in the world. I squeezed his hand back, wanting him to feel some of the strength he gave me, even in the darkest moments.

I stood close to Kaden, feeling a mix of emotions that I couldn’t quite name. Everything felt heavy yet strangely light at the same time. Kaden calling me by my name, “ Meara,” was something new, something personal, and it lingered in my mind.

He looked at me with eyes that held a storm of emotions. “ I know I told you to go back to the human world for your safety…but,” he hesitated, his voice breaking slightly as if fighting to find the right words, “ I can’t let you go. I can’t…lose you again.” His shoulders slumped, and his usual strong presence seemed smaller, almost vulnerable.

My heart ached at the sight of him like this. Kaden was always so sure of himself, so commanding, yet now he looked almost lost. I had never seen him this way before, and it stirred something inside me. Maybe the bond he spoke of was real because there was no denying the pull I felt towards him. It was warm, like a flame flickering in the cold, trying to melt the walls I’d built around my heart.