Chapter 162

Adrian Kael

"You have no idea how I'm feeling, love." My voice is choked with emotion. "Fuck, I'm so happy to know you're jealous… because it shows that you like me."

He lets out a huff, his gaze steady, but a slight blush betrays what he’s trying to hide.

"I hate this," he says through gritted teeth. "It's a strange feeling; it makes me feel insecure as hell… and I don't like it."

A small smile appears on my lips. I hold his face with both hands, my thumbs caressing his cheeks tenderly.

"You don't need to worry. If I have to show you how much I love you, I will," I say with a dangerous tenderness. "I'll do whatever it takes so you never feel insecure. If you want, I can get rid of everyone here in the prison… even David, if it makes you feel better."

His eyes widen slightly before a hoarse laugh escapes him.

"Truly insane," he remarks, shaking his head. "You don't need to kill anyone. I'll be fine."

I smile, relieved by his answer, and pull back a little, still unable to take my eyes off him.

"Sure," I respond with a playful glint in my eyes. "Let’s walk for a bit."

He nods, and we walk side by side down the corridor. Without thinking, I reach out and intertwine our fingers. I feel the warm touch of his skin against mine, and when he returns the squeeze, a shiver runs through my entire body. My heart races, and I have to fight back the smile that threatens to break out.

My love really likes me. Holy shit… I'm so happy.

An intense euphoria dominates me, as if every heartbeat were shouting his name inside me. I squeeze his hand more firmly, almost with devotion. I swear, I will show him he doesn't need to feel insecure. I’ll make him understand that there will never be anyone but him.

I will never put my mouth on another person; I will never let another touch reach me. My body belongs to him, and only to him. Magnus is my god, and my only truth is to serve him.

I look at him from the corner of my eye, observing his serene expression. I feel a strange peace, almost sweet, mixed with a burning desire to protect him, to ensure he never doubts me, that he never fears losing what is his. I’m going to give him the security he needs, even if I have to set the whole world on fire to do it.

We reach the entrance to the yard. Snow covers the ground like a white blanket, and some prisoners are working to clear it. I shift my gaze to my love, who watches everything in silence.

"Love, let’s build a snowman," I say, pulling him by the hand toward the yard.

He huffs, rolling his eyes with a playful boredom.

"That's kid stuff, Adrian."

I pout, insisting.

"Don't be like that, love. It’ll be fun."

He lets go of my hand and crosses his arms.

"Don't count on me for that."

I approach him wheedlingly and rest my chin on his chest, wrapping him in a tight embrace. My lips brush his warm skin, and I begin to pepper his chest with kisses, one after another, as if I could soften that hardness with nothing but affection.

"Come on, love... just one snowman. Just one. Please," I plead between kisses, making a sulky, almost childish face, trying to convince him.

"Fine! Let's build the damn snowman."

My smile breaks open immediately. I can't resist: I steal a quick peck from his lips.

"I love you, my love. Come on."

I hold his hand and pull him with me to the yard. A little further ahead, I crouch down and start gathering snow with almost childlike enthusiasm.

"We’re going to build the biggest snowman in here!" I declare, as if it were a challenge.

He arches an eyebrow, his ironic tone quickly emerging.

"You know our hands are going to freeze, don't you? We don't have gloves, genius."

I look at his large hands and smile with devotion.

"It's true… Your hands are too precious to freeze. Let me do it."

I go back to shaping the snow, so concentrated that I don't even notice him approaching until I feel the icy shock invade my uniform. A shiver runs down my back, and I let out a gasp, jumping as if I’d been shocked.

"Love, that wasn't fun—"

I don't finish the sentence because his laughter explodes through the yard. Loud, clear, captivating.

"Y-You looked like a jumping toad!" He laughed through tears, hands pressed against his abdomen, while the laughter shook his body.

I stand paralyzed, my chest accelerating as if it wanted to tear through my ribs. His laughter… it’s like hearing something sacred, too rare to exist in a place so cold and filthy. Every sound echoes inside me, filling spaces I didn't even know were empty.

He’s still trying to wipe away his tears, smiling, and before I can contain myself, I pull him into my arms. I squeeze him tight, as if I wanted to imprison that moment forever.

"If putting snow on me makes you laugh like that, you can do it as many times as you want, love."

He returns the embrace, his voice low against my ear.

"Don't be dramatic. It’s only funny when someone is caught by surprise."

I don't answer.

I just hold him in my arms, feeling the serene rhythm of his heart beating against my chest. There are moments when I still believe all of this is a dream... and that at any second, I might wake up and lose him.

I rest my chin on his chest and look up.

"Love... are you sure this isn't some plan of yours to make me let my guard down?"

He sighs, rolling his eyes, his impatience escaping in a heavy breath.

"No, Adrian. It’s not a plan. I don't want to put my life at risk trying to deceive you." He pauses shortly. "I’m really trying. Trying too hard for my own taste, since I..."

He bites his lip, and the gesture draws a small smile from me.

"I understand, love," I say softly, my voice full of tenderness. "You don't have to say it. Just hold me."

He does what I ask.

His arms wrap around me firmly, and in that same instant, all the weight I carry seems to dissolve. My body relaxes, surrendered to his warmth. It’s a different kind of heat—not just physical, but emotional, secure, and serene, as if nothing else existed besides that touch.

It’s like finding shelter in the middle of a storm.

A home.

I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, letting his scent fill me. It’s addictive, strong, and familiar, as if it had woven itself into me from the very first moment.

Every beat of his heart against my chest dictates a calm, constant rhythm that erases the chaos inside my head.

And then I realize: I don't need anything else. If I could, I would stay there forever, trapped in that embrace that gives me back everything I’ve ever looked for.

Peace.

Belonging.

Love.

Even if the world collapsed around us, still... being in his arms would be enough.