Chapter 149 A Dangerous Honeymoon
\[Lilia\]
I don’t know if I should be sad that the time I spent with Kael was so limited, or relieved that he brought me back just in time. Pa had already sent out word to look for me, and I could sense Ronan’s shadow behind the search. I could see the mischief gleaming in his gaze—a sharp reminder that he is serious about sticking his nose into my affairs.
“Fancy ring you’ve got there. And a coat.”
Cold dread lingered on the back of my neck. My heart took a plunge from a hundred-foot drop.
Shit. I knew he was keeping close eyes on me, but I hadn’t anticipated he would literally be watching my every move. He’s like a vulture perched in the corner, waiting for the lions to leave the carcass so he can scavenge what’s left. I acted as if his remark was white noise, something that didn't warrant a single spark of suspicion.
“Oh, this?” I lifted my hand, letting the pink diamond catch the dim hall light. “It was a gift. Someone gave me the coat while I was walking through the foyer.”
We were threading the corridor, rounding the corner toward my wing of the palace.
“Do you know how expensive this is?” Ronan took a closer look at my ring—the ring Kael gave me months ago. The symbol of the day we bound our souls, the day we became each other’s halves for the rest of our lives.
“Is it?” I played dumb, rubbing the stone with my thumb. I acted as if it wasn't worth my price at the auction. Back then, I thought Kael gave it to me to remind me I was an object. I didn't realize it was because I meant the world to him. My heart fluttered as I recalled his vows—the way his voice caressed my soul as we were officially married under the moonless sky.
“I know you’re hiding something.” Ronan broke my train of thought.
He’s persistent, I’ll give him that. But he’s still a bastard. I certainly wasn't going to conform to his expectations.
“Of course I have secrets, and I will never give you the privilege of knowing them,” I scoffed, not sparing him a glance. Everyone has a secret; mine just happened to be that I married the man I loved without the world’s permission.
I suddenly remembered I was barefoot. I’d left my heels in Kael’s car, and I could feel bits of sand stuck between my toes. Fortunately, my gown was long enough to conceal my feet.
“Kael is your lover. You were never just his pet, were you?” He spewed it forth like a bomb intended to stun me.
I couldn't help but chuckle. Not because it was funny, but because of the immaturity of his idea—as if my feelings for Kael were a riddle he had finally solved.
“Oh, you think you’ve cracked the code?” I sniggered. I halted and faced him, reaching out to touch his face with a look of pity—the emotion he hated most. “Poor, Ronan. That wasn’t a secret at all. It was a private matter, but not a secret.”
Satisfaction brimmed within me as I saw the hot, molten anger in his eyes. He wanted to strangle me, but he couldn't. He can wish, but he can never execute. I moved away with a smirk. If I could shout Kael’s name to the world, I would. The only thing I regretted was that I couldn't announce that the man I loved was now my husband.
“I’m very tired. So if you please, don’t ever bother me again,” I stated blandly. I turned my back, went into my room, and slammed the door, locking it tight.
Only then could I breathe.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at the reflection of my ring. I lifted my finger and kissed it. This was supposed to be our honeymoon night. Kael should be right beside me. I ran my palm through the smooth fabric of his coat and sniffed his scent, closing my eyes to imagine him there.
I wondered how long we would have to wait. Kael was keeping the marriage certificate for safekeeping; I couldn't risk Ronan finding a piece of paper that would shatter his world.
Slowly, I stepped out of my gown, leaving the expensive fabric for Linda to clean tomorrow. I soaked in a hot bath, letting the stress melt away before retiring to bed in a silk nightshift. I was drifting into a dreamless sleep, a mix of fatigue and sadness.
Until I felt a hand sliding up my thigh.
I stilled, my heart pounding in fear. Someone had broken in. But the fear vanished the moment I heard that familiar whisper.
“Doll, I know you’re awake.”
My eyes shot open. Kael was there, crawling up the bed, wearing a fitted black shirt and combat pants.
“Kael, what the hell are you doing here?” I hissed. “You could get caught!”
A taunting smirk spread on his lips. He slid his rough palm against the inside of my thigh, eliciting a soft moan from my throat. He knew exactly what to do to my body.
“Not if you aren't so loud.”
“What?” I gaped at him.
“Doll, you really didn't think I would let this night slip by without a little honeymoon.”
“Honeymoon? In my room? In my Pa’s palace?” Goodness heavens! What was he thinking?
“Isn’t it a bit thrilling?”
“You’re insane.” I shook my head, but I exhaled with delight as his thumb swiped across my skin. “There are guards out there. They saw you at the ball.”
“Hush now, doll. Do you not want me here?” There was a hint of mock contrition in his tone.
“Yes, of course. I want to be with you. God knows how much. But...” I trailed off, fear blooming as I thought of the consequences of being caught.
“But?” He raised a brow.
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Kael took my hand and kissed the ring on my finger. “No one’s going to hurt me tonight, love. I promise.”