Chapter Thirty Five.

Chapter Thirty Five.
Elara, carrying a tray of food, knocked softly on Javen’s door before pushing it open.

Inside, she found him standing in silence, his back to her, eyes fixed on the moon through the open balcony. Two ancient books hovered beside him, pages fluttering in a wind that didn’t exist.

She sighed as she set the tray down on a nearby table.

"You haven’t eaten properly in days, Javen," she murmured.

He didn’t turn at first—only slightly tilted his head toward the tray. His eyes fell to the bowl of soup.

"I know you’re worried about Taliya. And I know… you love her. But we have to accept it. She’s in the North now, under Kaidon’s control. If we so much as breathe the wrong way in her direction, we’ll end up dead." Elara said quietly, her voice filled with worry.

The soup on the tray began to ripple, the surface shimmering. The ripples quickly turned to bubbling.

"Kaidon is ruthless and dangerously territorial. Maybe what you feel for her… is what he feels too." Her words were cautious.

Steam hissed upward as the liquid began to boil.

"You have to let her go, Javen. Please…" Elara stepped back as the bowl suddenly shattered with a violent crack, soup spraying across the tray and floor.

She gasped, staring wide-eyed at the mess, then back at Javen.

His face remained unnervingly calm, but his voice was low, sharp, and full of venom.

“Never.”

♠︎♠︎♠︎

Taliya lay stiffly on one side of the bed, her hands clutching the blanket like it might shield her from the chaos of her thoughts.

“Why did his ass make me stay here… I should’ve insisted on my own chamber.”

Her brows furrowed as she stared at the ceiling. Then—movement.

Her eyes darted sideways. Kaidon was turned the other way, his back facing her, breathing steady.

Taliya let out a slow sigh.

“Okay… he’s asleep. You’re just paranoid, Taliya. Chill.”

She turned her head back and tried to relax. "He’s not even—"

Before the thought could finish, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, yanking her backward. Her back collided with his solid chest, and her breath hitched.

Kaidon’s lips brushed near her ear as he whispered, “You whisper too loud.”

Taliya’s whole body went still. “I... I’m sorry.”

“Just sleep.” he mumbled, his voice low and deep, his grip possessive.

She nodded, unable to say another word, her heart thundering.

But sleep was the last thing her body was ready for—with Kaidon’s hot breath against her skin, his grip firm, and her own thoughts spiraling into a whirlwind.

“This is going to be a long, long night…”

♠︎♠︎♠︎

The next morning…

Taliya slept peacefully, her breathing soft, lashes resting like feathers on her flushed cheeks.

Then, she felt something—warm fingers gliding along her cheek in a slow, featherlight caress.

Her brows pinched, and she turned her face to the other side, murmuring drowsily.

“Mmm… Jex… stop that…” she mumbled with a sleepy giggle.

The touch stilled.

Silence. A sudden chill seeped into the room.

Her eyes fluttered open—and immediately locked onto a pair of glowing red ones.

Taliya’s breath caught in her throat. Kaidon stood beside the bed, staring down at her, unmoving.

His expression was unreadable—but the faint glow in his eyes wasn’t promising.

“Who… is Jex?” His voice was low, sharp—lethal in its calm.

Taliya’s heart raced. Oh no.

She blinked rapidly, forcing a nervous laugh. “Wh-what? Jex? What are you talking about? I think you’re hearing things—”

“You said it in your sleep.” Kaidon’s gaze sharpened. “You called another man’s name.”

She swallowed hard. “Jex is—uh… a cat. My cat. Back home.” Her smile was forced, lips trembling slightly.

Kaidon didn’t speak. He simply stared, like he was studying her soul.

“I’m serious!” she rushed on, voice high-pitched. “He used to lick my face every morning to wake me up—nasty little habit, honestly!” she added with an awkward chuckle.

The tension lingered a second longer—then Kaidon’s eyes dimmed to a softer glow.

“No man?” he asked quietly.

Taliya nodded quickly. “No. No man.”

A small, unreadable smile curved his lips. Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead gently.

Without warning, he scooped her into his arms.

“Wha—hey!” she gasped. “What are you doing?!”

Kaidon stepped out of the chamber with her in his arms, carrying her bridal-style like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You need to bathe and eat.” he said plainly, his voice calm, deep.

Her cheeks turned scarlet. “Kaidon, I can walk!” she protested as they moved through the corridor.

“I know,” he murmured. “But I like feeling you close.”

She buried her face in her hands in embarrassment as she caught a few maids watching them with raised brows and stifled giggles. Lenora was among them, smiling knowingly.

Oh god. Kill me.

She peeked between her fingers, risking a glance at Kaidon—and froze.

He was smiling. Not the cold smirk or the sly grin—an actual, soft smile.

He looks… happy..Maybe… I could ask him a favor now?

They reached the bathing chamber. Kaidon pushed the doors open, revealing a warm mist already rising from the filled pool.

A few maids were preparing oils and towels, but they all stepped aside as he approached.

He carried her straight to the water and gently lowered her beside the pool.

“K-Kaidon?” she called softly, her voice shy, tentative.

He looked at her, waiting.

Taliya took a deep breath.

Okay. Here goes nothing…

“C…can we, um… go to the town area?” Taliya asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper as she sat beside the warm pool.

Kaidon’s entire body went still. His face hardened, the smile from earlier vanishing like smoke.

“…What?” His voice was cold..

She swallowed nervously, forcing a tiny laugh. “I—I mean, this is the northern region, right? I just thought maybe I could explore a bit… get familiar with the place…”

Kaidon folded his arms slowly. His head tilted, and his red eyes pierced through her.

“Why do you want to see the town?” he asked, voice low and unnervingly calm.

To find an escape route, you crazy, possessive demon, she thought, her smile frozen.

“Like I said… to get familiar,” she lied, waving her hand awkwardly. “I mean, I don’t know anything about this country. It wouldn’t hurt to learn, right?”

Kaidon stared at her, expression unreadable—but his silence was heavy..

Taliya’s heart thudded in her chest. She could feel it. He didn’t believe her.

Then, without a word, he turned his back and began walking out of the bathing chamber.

“H-Hey, wait—will you allow it or not?” she called after him, trying not to sound desperate.

He stopped at the doorway. His head turned slightly over his shoulder, just enough for her to see the sharp edge in his gaze.

“Get her clean,” he sneered at the maids.

Then he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

She sat there stunned, the warm mist suddenly feeling suffocating.

“…O-Okay,” she whispered to herself. “Maybe that was a really bad idea.”

A sigh escaped her lips as she stared at the slammed door.

“Escaping is going to be harder than I thought…”