The Groom At My Door

VESPERA

Kael Draven.

“Madam Corvelle?” Kael called the house keeper, he had met her just as she had called out to me.

“The bride is resting, sir,” the housekeeper replied. “She has had a long journey.”

“Then she can rest after I see her.”

I felt my heartbeat increase, this was going to be disastrous. His footsteps approached the door and his firm knock followed.

“Seraphine, open the door.”

I glanced around the room, searching for somewhere to hide. The wardrobe was too obvious, the bathroom offered no escape, and the window overlooked a garden enclosed by high stone walls. Running would be pointless, I had learned that much on the drive here.

“Miss Bryt,” Madam Corvelle called through the door, her tone grew strained. “Please open it.”

I straightened my cream dress, glanced at Liora’s now pale face, and crossed the room. My hand rested on the handle for a beat then I opened the door.

Kael Draven stood in the corridor wearing a black shirt with its sleeves rolled to his elbows and dark trousers that fitted him indecently well. His hair was slightly dishevelled, his jaw was sharply defined, and his eyes were a kind of beautiful blue, not bright but certainly not dim.

He was handsome, annoyingly, infuriatingly handsome.

The sort of handsome that made a woman understand why people did stupid things for beautiful men.

Unfortunately, I wasn't here to admire him.

His gaze travelled over my face before settling on my eyes. “You took your time.”

“I was changing.” I replied stiffly.

His eyes moved to my dress. “Clearly.”

Heat crept up my neck, but I refused to look away. Behind him, Madam Corvelle stood with her hands clasped in front of her. She looked displeased with me, as though I had deliberately arranged this confrontation to ruin her evening.

Kael glanced at her. “Leave us.”

“Sir, perhaps you should wait until tomorrow. The wedding preparations have been exhausting, and Miss Bryt needs to…”

“Did I ask for your opinion?”

Madam Corvelle pressed her lips together. “No, sir.” She bowed her head and walked away, her shoes clicking against the polished floor. Before disappearing around the corner, she cast me a warning look.

“And you too.” He glanced at Liora who shook and mumbled a ‘Yes Sir’ before leaving.

“You haven't eaten.” He glanced at the untouched breakfast in the tray beside the window.

“I'm not hungry.”

“Is that why your breakfast is untouched, or are you planning to starve yourself before the wedding?”

I folded my arms. “Do you always interrogate people you have just met?”

He looked surprised. “People?”

“Your bride, then. Have you always been this welcoming?” I asked.

“Have you always been this argumentative?” He asked me with a scrutinizing look.

“Only when someone enters my room and starts criticizing my breakfast.”

He smiled slyly. “You have a different temperament from what I expected.”

My heart began to race again. “What did you expect?” I asked quietly.

“A quiet woman.”

I forced a shrug. “People are often different in person.”

“I suppose they are.” His answer was calm, but his eyes remained fixed on me.

I reminded myself that he had never met Seraphine. He had only seen the photographs exchanged between the families and read whatever carefully prepared information accompanied them. He had no personal memories to compare against mine. That was my advantage.

“Did you expect me to be frightened of you?” I asked.

“Should you be?”

“Would it make you happy if I said yes?” I smirked.

“No.” He replied slowly, studying my expressions.

“Then I suppose you will have to settle for disappointment.”

He frowned slightly, he looked like he was trying to figure something out.

Most people would have lowered their eyes by now. I could feel the pressure of his Alpha presence and the instinctive urge to retreat from a man whose power seemed to occupy every inch of the room.

But I didn't give in. Kael moved towards the window, looking down at the gardens. “Tomorrow, the wedding will take place at eleven. My family will be present, along with yours, the…”

“I know how weddings work.” I cut him short.

He turned. “Do you?”

I swallowed my irritation. “Yes.”

“Good.” He paused a little, “then we understand each other.”

He began listing expectations with the detached efficiency of a man discussing a contract. There would be security wherever I went. The estate staff would attend to my needs. Certain rooms were private, and I was not to enter them without permission. Public appearances would be arranged through his office.

I listened carefully, storing each detail away. “You have gone quiet,” Kael observed.

“I am listening, would you prefer that I interrupt you?”

“I would prefer honesty.”

The words struck too close. “Then we have a problem,” I said before I could stop myself. “You expect honesty from a woman who is being married off as part of an arrangement neither of us chose.”

For the first time, his composure cracked enough for me to glimpse the irritation beneath it. “You think I chose this?”

“I think you have enough power to refuse it.”

“And you believe you don't?”

I stared at him, he did not know about the threats. He did not know about Mira, he did not know that refusing this marriage would not simply cost me my freedom. It could cost my sister her life.

I forced a bitter smile. “You know nothing about my choices.”

We stared at each other, like two strangers bound by an agreement neither had written, each guarding secrets the other had no right to demand.

Finally, Kael checked his watch. “Get some sleep, tomorrow will be a long day. Do not mistake my willingness to honour this arrangement for weakness. I expect my wife to understand the responsibilities that come with my name.”

I lifted my chin. “And I expect my husband to understand that I am not one of his employees.”

He left, closing the door behind him. Only after his footsteps faded did I allow myself to breathe.

My knees nearly buckled, I leaned against the dressing table, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Seraphine's face stared back, beautiful and unfamiliar, framed by hair that had been styled to match the photographs her family had provided.

Tomorrow, I will become Mrs. Kael Draven and if I fail, Mira will pay for it. A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. “Who is it?”

“It's Liora, miss.”

“Come in.” I replied.

She came holding a small velvet pouch. Her brown eyes flicked towards the corridor before she stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

“Are you all right, miss? Master Kael can be intimidating.”

“Is he always like that? Like he expects the entire world to disappoint him.” I complained.

Liora visibly fought to hide her smile. “I probably shouldn't answer that.”

She studied me for a moment before glancing down at the pouch in her hands. “I was asked to give you something.”

“By whom?”

“Madam Corvelle found it among the belongings sent from the Bryt residence. She said it belonged to Miss Seraphine and should be returned to you before the wedding.”

The velvet pouch felt strangely heavy when Liora placed it in my palm. I loosened the drawstring and inside lay a silver ring.

It was delicate, with a narrow band and a small oval stone that caught the light. The metal had darkened slightly around the edges, suggesting it had been worn often.

I lifted it carefully. “The ring I asked about earlier?”

Liora nodded. “Was there anything else?” I asked.

“No, miss. Just the ring.”

I slipped the ring back into the velvet pouch. “Thank you, Liora.”

She nodded and moved towards the door but I stopped her. “Hold on, it's still too early to sleep. I'd like to take a little walk.”

She nodded and waited while I put on my sandals. We left the room and made it out through the corridor and out to the balcony where I watched the sunset.

From the balcony I could see Kael in the courtyard talking to a guard, he must have sensed my presence because he looked up at me. I gave him a little timid wave, that I prayed was convincing enough.

I thought about the wedding, there was no turning back now. I sighed and closed my eyes.

Suddenly a strange scent hit me, I could feel my wolf stirring violently within me, I quickly gripped on the balcony rail.

“Miss?” Liora looked at me with concern etched on her face. “What's wrong? You've gone pale.” I couldn't reply, she stepped closer and let out a loud gasp. “Miss! Your eyes!”

I frowned. “What about them?”

“They're glowing, miss please get back from the rail.”

I tried but I couldn't, the scent was very strong. I felt strangely warm like I've been standing in a cold room my whole life and someone just opened a door.

“Miss?”

I looked up then my eyes widened. I screamed in my mind. “No, no, no ,no, no…this can't be. Kael? What the fuck?”