"Slowly, Kaelos." Elara whimpered as his mouth found her collarbone. His neck was hot against her skin, as his lips drifted up, pressing soft kisses on her jaw, and then going up until his lips met hers in mutual passion.
Elara moaned slightly. His fingers drifted down slowly, gliding down the silk of her dress, and settling on the space between her legs. She shivered as soon as he got there.
As she squirmed beneath him, this made Kaelos grunt, he could tell she was struggling to ground herself.
And so his hands drifted down a little more, and before she knew it, he pushed his fingers inside her and Elara screamed sharply.
"Oh my God." She yelled as she jolted up from the bed, sweating profusely.
She turned to her side, and Kaelos was still fast asleep. Why would she dream about something like that?
She looked at him deeply; she could not deny that he looked peaceful in his sleep. His lips were a light shade of pink. His nose was pointed, and his golden hair fell across his face.
A strand looked like it got stuck between his lips. Elara reached forward, hoping to brush it away, but he stirred suddenly, catching her wrist midair.
His fingers wrapped around her wrist, firm but not harsh. His eyes blinked open, confused at first—then guarded.
"Why are you watching me sleep?" His voice was groggy.
"I was only—" she began, but he released her hand before she could finish.
"I know," he said, his voice low and rough with sleep.
Kaelos brushed the strand from his lips. Slowly pulling himself off the bed.
They looked at each other for a long moment. The space between them felt warmer this morning, less like a battlefield.
Elara sat up, drawing the sheets with her. "You really did not stay with her?"
"No," he said simply.
"Why?"
Kaelos sat up too, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Because I didn't want to," he muttered. "And because you asked me not to."
"You always do the opposite of what I ask. You never even do what I ask." She said bowing her head.
"Maybe I'm trying something different Elara, isn't that what you want?"
Elara nodded slowly. That wasn't an apology, not really. But it also wasn't nothing.
"Thank you." She said.
"For what?" He turned to look at her.
"For staying here." She smiled at him.
Before he could respond, a knock sounded at the door. Firm and urgent.
"Who is it?" Kaelos yelled.
"Excuse me, your grace." Hallel's voice came through the door.
"The queen requests your presence, both of you." She said. "She's waiting in the Solar Room."
Hallel's words hung in the air like a bell still ringing.
Kaelos and Elara exchanged a look but quickly turned away.
Then, slowly, Elara stood, brushing her hair back from her face. "I suppose we shouldn't keep her waiting."
Kaelos swung his legs over the bed, groaning softly. "May the gods help us."
_______
Steam drifted faintly from the bathing room by the time Elara entered. As she sank into the tub, the water wrapped her in warmth.
For a moment Elara rested her head against the edge. Her eyes were half closed, letting the silence settle.
But the dream she had wouldn't leave her. The heat of Kaelos mouth. The weight of his body and oh his fingers.
She exhaled, slow and long. Her fingers drifting over her stomach and then lower.
No one was watching. It was just her.
She closed her eyes and let her hand slip beneath the water.
Her fingers moved softly as they found the place he'd touched in her dream.
The place that now pulsed with heat and shame.
A muffled moan escaped her lips, barely audible. She arched her back slightly as the wave of pleasure crested over her.
The more she imagined him, the more intense she thrust her fingers into herself. Her thighs tensed under the water. A whimper caught in her throat and just as she was about to reach the edge — a knock came at the door.
"Elara," called Kaelos's voice. "You've been in there a while."
She jolted upright, her heart beating fast. Water sloshed as she yanked her hand away. Shame crawling to her cheeks.
She hadn't even heard him approach.
"I…I'm almost done." She called, trying to steady her voice.
"Make it quick, Mother doesn't tolerate delays."
His footsteps retreated.
Elara bathed quickly but thoroughly, scrubbing the remnants of sleep—and memory—from her skin.
By the time she stepped out wrapped in a drying cloth, Kaelos was already at the washbasin, splashing cold water over his face.
He glanced at her, briefly, before she disappeared into her dressing room.
In the privacy of the room, Elara paused, fingertips grazing a dark blue gown. She didn't know why she chose it. Perhaps because it made her look strong.
Kaelos stepped in, already halfway dressed, adjusting the fastenings of his tunic. He didn't look directly at her as he grabbed his belt from a nearby chair.
Elara turned away to step out of her clothes. She was halfway into her gown when she realized he was still in the room.
"Do you mind?" she asked, not looking back.
He gave a short grunt. "Right. Of course."
He turned on his heel just as she struggled with the back ties. Her fingers fumbled once, twice, and then—
"Here," came his voice again, softer this time.
She froze as his fingers replaced hers, brushing lightly against the bare skin of her back as he pulled the ties. His touch wasn't rushed. It lingered as if he too was caught in the silence stretching between them.
"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kaelos jerked back, noticing how close he was.
As Elara slowly smoothened her gown, a sharp thud hit their chamber door.
They both freeze. Kaelos looks up at her. "Are you ready?"
Elara nodded slowly.
"Let's get this over with," Kaelos said.
He strides to the door and pulls it open but the sight below him makes him pause in his steps.
"What is it?" Elara asked as she strutted toward the door.
On the ground, just beyond the threshold, lay a raven — stiff, twisted and lifeless. Its neck was bent at an unnatural angle and Its eyes were glassy. Its feathers were ruffled by the breeze.
"Oh poor thing," Elara whispered, kneeling to take a closer look.
Kaelos stood frozen, his eyes widening. "It's the same one," he muttered.
Elara looks up at him. "The same one from where?" She asked. As she reached out to touch it.
"No," Kaelos shouted. "Do not touch it."
She jerked her hand back. Startled by his voice.
When she turned to him. Kaelos was pale. His hands trembling at his side.
For a moment he looked like a man who had seen something he wasn't ready to name.
Then he drew a deep breath and straightened his shoulders.
A maid appeared at the end of the corridor, carrying a basket of linens.
Kaelos raised his voice. "You there, get someone to clean this up. Now."
He said, walking off.
The maid scurried off without a word.
Elara cast one last glance at the raven before she slowly followed Kaelos to the queen.
________
Queen Alaina sat poised at a sunlit table in the Solar Room, her expression blank as Elara and Kaelos were escorted in by a guard.
She set her cup down slowly, deliberately, and lifted her eyes to them.
"Mother," Kaelos said as soon as he stepped in fully. "You summoned us."
"If I didn't know what I heard, I'd say you two are adjusting rather well." Queen Alaina said.
Kaelos remained guarded but composed.
"Yes, we are." He nodded.
"Are you?" the Queen said, one brow rising. "Because word travels fast in these halls, and it seems yesterday's hallway dispute travelled faster still."
Elara stiffened but remained silent.
"One of the stewards heard the raised voices and caught wind of a certain name. Athena, wasn't it? Along with accusations, tension, and an obvious lack of restraint."
She looked directly at Kaelos. "Your discretion, or lack thereof, puts both your reputations in question."
"It was a private matter." Kaelos frowned.
"You had it in the East Wing corridor." The Queen's voice was sharp but measured.
"Nothing in this court is private, especially not for a royal newlywed. You are being watched—not only by courtiers but by the people. They want stability. If you two cannot provide it, they will lose faith in this alliance."
She leaned forward slightly.
"This kingdom has survived war, betrayal, and famine. But what it cannot afford now is a scandal."
She turned to Kaelos.
"And as for Athena—do not think me blind. I have known about her far longer than you assumed. I tolerated the girl because I thought, foolishly, that when you were wed, you would have the sense to leave her behind. Or at the very least, keep her out of sight while your wife is still being introduced to the court."
Her voice sharpened.
"But no, Kaelos. You went to her. You were seen. And now her name is passed like coin among servants and lords alike."
Kaelos's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. The Queen shifted her gaze to Elara now, cool and assessing.
"And you, Princess—do not look so innocent. You may be wronged, yes, but that does not exempt you from your role. You've made a spectacle of yourself already. The corridor fight may have been provoked, but you did not choose silence. You chose fire."
Elara lifted her chin, her lips pressed tight.
"I was simply stating that I will not be humiliated in my marriage." She said bluntly.
"And while I understand that Elara. You are here for unity. For peace. That is your duty—not pride. Do not confuse the two."
Silence stretched as her gaze flicked between them both. The Queen's final words were cool as frost.
"This kingdom will not survive your tempers. Either learn to play the part or risk undoing everything your crowns are meant to protect."
"Mother," Kaelos finally said. "While I understand your concerns. Elara and I are fully capable of handling ourselves."
Queen Alaina arched a brow. "Is that so? Because from where I stand, it looks as though the two of you are still playing at marriage like children in a costume parade."
Elara stiffened beside him but didn't speak.
Alaina's gaze shifted to her, sharp as a blade. "And you, Elara. You may wear the crown now but don't mistake that for loyalty. Everyone watches. The people whisper. Do not give them more to feast on."
There was a long, tense silence. After a moment, The Queen turned back to Elara. "You may go."
Elara hesitated, her eyes flicking to Kaelos, but Alaina didn't repeat herself. With a stiff nod, Elara turned and left the chamber in silence, her heels clicking on the floor, her dress moving with the wind and then, the door clicked shut behind her.