Selena’s POV
I couldn’t stop smiling. Not the polite kind of smile. Not the “thank you for the tea” or “what a lovely gift” kind. This one was stuck. Pressed into the corners of my mouth like it had taken root. All because of a picnic. I remembered every detail because it was like a dream to me A dream that I didn’t want to wake up from. The laughter repeated itself in my head I could remember every hum in his voice The way his throat moved Tye baritone it carried and how free he looked. Even after we got back. Even after the everywhere had become dark And we could barely find our way out of the garden I could still feel the warmth of it. The warmth of them. Of him. I hadn’t realized how long it had been since I laughed like that. Real laughter. The kind that caught you off guard and curled your toes with joy. Not the polite chuckles I gave Sisi to keep her happy. Not the hollow hums I used to hide how tired I was. But laughter that felt like light pushing past the fog. Sisi was skipping beside me, still talking about the crown she made. It sat lopsided on her curls, a patchwork of dandelions, daisies, and one stubborn weed she’d insisted was a “magic leaf.” “And then Daddy put the jelly on the wrong sandwich!” she announced, giggling. “And he still ate it even though it had mustard! Mommy, did you see his face?” I smiled, adjusting the basket on my hip. “He was trying to be brave.” “He’s funny when he’s brave.” She twirled around me, arms flailing. “Can we do it again tomorrow?” I didn’t answer right away. The word yes sat on my tongue like a secret I wasn’t sure I was allowed to tell. Because something had shifted today. Something had cracked open. And I knew it would come woth change That was the oart I wasn’t sure I was ready for yet The change oart Cause change demanded a lot of things And change could wreck you. Cassian had laughed Cassian had laughed. Not just once. Not just a soft exhale or a crooked smirk. But truly laughed. And when Sisi smeared cream on his cheek and crowned him King of the Picnic, he’d gone along with it like it was the most natural thing in the world. And me? I watched him. I watched the way the lines in his face softened. How he let Sisi sit in his lap and braid dandelions into his sleeve. How he looked at her like he was trying to memorize the curve of her smile. And for a moment Just for a moment, I forgot the man who’d insulted my entire being at the cell. The man who had called me two nights before to remind me of my place I saw something else. Someone else. Someone I didn’t know… but maybe wanted to. Maybe it was because of the way he acted during the picnic He’d grinned at her. And then at me. That was what stayed with me. Long after the food had been packed away, long after the breeze stopped playing with the edges of my skirt. The way he looked at me. Like I was more than the woman he’d hired. More than the mistake he thought I was. He’d looked at me like I was home. And God, did butterflies flutter in my stomach We reached the palace steps just as the wind picked up again. I tightened Sisi’s shawl around her shoulders and held her hand as we climbed. Cassian trailed behind us, quiet, but not in that closed-off way he used to be. This silence felt different. Like he wasn’t keeping me out. Just… letting something settle inside himself. When we got to the top, he surprised me. “I’ll take the basket,” I froze Processing tye image of his outstretched arm Then he waved in my face, calling me back to my senses. ‘fuck’ I cursed under breath, blinking repeatedly befire finally looking up at him. “It’s okay. I’ve got it.” “I know.” His fingers brushed mine. “But let me.” There was no challenge in his tone. No smirk. No arrogance. Just a quiet offer. I let go. And something in me went with it. I didn’t dare say anything about it. Didn’t want to break the spell. Sisi spun on her heel. “Mommy! Guess what?” I raised a brow. “What, my little whirlwind?” She beamed. “Daddy said my flower crown looked like it was made by a real fairy!” Cassian made a sound behind us I wasn’t sure what exactly it was Maybe it was a mixture of both A chuckle and the clearing of his throat. I turned just enough to catch his face. The tips of his ears were pink. He met my eyes. And then looked away. It felt like the high school romance I was used to read. Like he was still figuring out what to do with me now that I wasn’t angry. Now that I’d smiled back. Now that I’d laughed too. By the time we reached the biggest living room in the house, Sisi’s energy had tripled. Most times I wondered if it was normal for a child to be so energetic. She flung herself onto the couch dramatically, legs kicking the air. “That was the best day of my whole life!” I glanced at Cassian. I didn’t know why but I was silently praying. Praying that he would make one his sarcastic remarks Or thst his lips would curve up in thst smirk i had all too grown fond. “That’s quite the honor.” He shrugged one shoulder. “She’s only had six years. Low bar.” Sisi gasped. “Daddy!” I laughed. A real one. He looked over, and for a second—just a second—he smiled back. A small one. But real. It was gone before I could blink my eye, but it did have an effect on me still. My heart did something dangerous. Later, after dinner and a warm bath, I stood in front of the mirror rubbing lotion into my arms. Sisi’s towel was drying by the side of the tub. My own towel was wrapped around me, tucked securely, or so I thought. I’d just finished bathing Sisi and helping her into her pajamas It was a soft yellow nightgown with a faded sun stitched over the chest. She was humming a song from earlier, the one we made up about the “Royal Jelly Sandwich Disaster.” She kept going on and on about the picnic. “And then you made the best sandwiches, Mommy. And the lemonade had real lemons! And Daddy didn’t even yell once!” I raised an eyebrow. “Is that the standard now?” She nodded solemnly. “No yelling equals the best day.” I ruffled her hair. “Well, I think we all had fun.” “Even Daddy?” I paused. Then nodded. “Even Daddy.” She grinned. I handed her a small lotion bottle. “Here, baby. You do your arms, and I’ll do your back.” “I want to smell like Mommy,” she said, unscrewing the cap and inhaling dramatically. “Mmm, like flowers and clouds.” I was rubbing lotion on her shoulders when she turned her head slightly. “Can I sleep in your bed tonight?” I smiled. “Of course, sweetheart.” I was humming to myself now and sisi? Well she was on the bed talking to stuffed animals or something. I peeled off my robe and stood in front of the mirror, reaching for my lotion. My skin still smelled like sunlight and grass. The air still held the memory of laughter and lemonade. I started smoothing the lotion over my arms, then my shoulders. The towel wrapped around me began to slip—just as the door swung open. “Selena, I—” Cassian froze. My heart jumped. and I did too . Cassian stood in the doorway, half inside, looking like he hadn’t expected me to be— My towel slipped. Not much. Just enough. “Oh—” I scrambled to catch it, grabbing the top before it could slide further. Cassian froze. “I—I didn’t know you were—” His voice cracked. I was turned slightly away from him, one hand across my chest, the other holding the towel in place. “A knock would’ve been helpful.” “I thought you were still—” He stepped forward automatically, and in that same breath, reached out like instinct. His hand brushed my shoulder, catching the edge of the towel before it could fall again. Just that. Just skin meeting skin. But the jolt of it— It felt like lightning. A rush of warmth traveled up my spine, through my chest, blooming beneath my ribs. I breathed in sharply. His eyes met mine. “Sorry,” he whispered still not pulling back. I stepped back. Just enough to give us both air. “Thanks. I’ve got it.” He nodded. But didn’t move. “It’s okay,” I hurriedly added, pulling the towel tighter and stepping back. “I was just—finishing up.” His hand was still half-raised. He lowered it slowly. “I just… came to check if Sisi was with you. I knocked, but you didn’t answer.” Then, behind us, came the sound of tiny feet. “Mommy?” Sisi stood at the threshold in her pajamas, hair still damp, holding her storybook like a shield. I tightened my towel and turned fully toward her. “Yes, baby?” “I want to sleep in my room tonight.” I blinked. “You do?” She nodded. “You don’t want to sleep here with us?” I was hoping that she would change her mind Or maybe offer fit me to spend the night with her Then it clicked Didn’t she just offer to spend the night here? Then why the sudden…? Oh this little sneak! She hesitated. “I think… I’m big enough now. And I want to read my book to Mr. Moon by myself.” Mr. Moon was the stuffed rabbit. Cassian looked just as stunned as I felt. “Oh. Okay,” I nodded slowly . “Want me to come lie down with you for a little while?” She shook her head. “I’ll be okay.” But then she held her arms out. “Just tuck me in?” I nodded. We walked together to her room, her hand warm in mine. Cassian followed but remembered at the door while I helped her climb under the covers, fixed her blanket, and kissed her forehead. I had just pulled her covers to her chin and kissed her forehead. She looked up at me with sleepy eyes. “I love you, Mommy.” “I love you too.” “To the moon?” “And back.” She turned onto her side and mumbled, “Tell Daddy I love him too… even when he puts jelly on mustard.” I laughed softly, brushing a curl from her cheek. “I’ll tell him.” “Goodnight, baby.” “Night, Mommy.” She looked over my shoulder. “Night, Daddy.” “Goodnight, little shadow,” he said. And then she turned over, pulling Mr. Moon close. We stepped out quietly. And for a moment, just stood there in the hallway. The silence wasn’t awkward. It was… soft. I exhaled. “She’s growing up.” “She is.” I walked into the bedroom, pulled one of the spare pillows off the bed, and padded toward the couch. He watched me. He had been watching me since we left sisi’s room I dropped the pillow and sat down. “What are you doing?” he asked. I looked up at him. And paused. His voice hadn’t been sharp. It wasn’t even annoyed. Just confused. But that confusion did something to me. Because it wasn’t the first time I’d moved away. Wasn’t the first time I’d given him space, put distance between us because I thought it was what he wanted. But maybe this time… he didn’t. Maybe this time, he wasn’t sure he wanted the space. I sat on the edge of the couch, the pillow in my lap. “I thought I’d let you have the bed tonight.” He didn’t move. Didn’t answer. Just stared. We stood there. Not awkward. But… aware. Too aware. The pillow hugged to my chest. I didn’t turn. Not yet.Cassian’s POVThe letter shouldn’t have rattled me.But it did.He managed to take everything away from me and now? I had no idea what to expect What was wrapped beautifully behind the satin envelope.I cracked it open anyway.“I trust this reaches you well, dear brother. I intend to visit within the month. I believe it’s time we cleared the air…officially. I’ll await your reply. But I suggest you begin preparations.”Arrogant bastard.No date. No reason. No apology.No signature.He didn’t need one.“Want me to piss on it before we burn it?”I jerked at the sound of his voiceZevran had that power…to make me anxious even in his absence.I didn’t look up. “He’s coming.”“Unfortunately.”I tossed the letter toward the desk. It landed like a loaded weapon.“He wants to ‘clear the air,’” Even I didn’t understand what he meant by that, but it didn’t change that a part of me was curious.“Yeah? So did the last wildfire.” Conrad strode in and picked up the letter. “No signature. Classy.”
Selena’s POVI was ashamed. My heart drummed rapidly against my ribcages each time the memory resurfaced on the top of my mind No I didn’t want to dwell on it…i had already talked way too much about the kiss and I wasn’t going to let it define my life My fingers moved on muscle memory, stroking sisi’s back for the semblance of comfort she offered. Controlling a lot of things was something I was used to, except when it came to my mind. She just had a way of spiraling beyond what I could tame. So my feet moved before I could protest. It followed the path Cassian had left through..hoping I could find him. I owed him that…the health status of his daughter. And just as though my mind had found what she was all so desperately searching for, my legs came to an instant halt. I recognized that voice. Heck, it’s the voice that shakes the very bane of my existence I could recognize it even in the darkest part of the hallway. It always carried the same tinge. Low. Rough. Familiar. “Dr
Cassian’s POV “I trust you.”The words left my mouth before I could think. Before I could weigh them, fold them into something guarded or vague. But I didn’t take them back.Because I meant them.I wasn’t lying. I trusted her—with Sisi. Maybe more than I trusted myself.That was the terrifying part.I wasn’t used to trust. Not like this. Not the quiet kind that crept in unnoticed and settled in your chest like a fire you couldn’t put out. Not the kind that whispered she’ll take care of what you love most, and somehow, impossibly, I believed it.Selena hadn’t moved when I said it.she blinked but it wasn’t out of shock. It was not relief.No, it was subtler than that.Maybe even Deeper.Like those three words….I trust you—had landed in a place she hadn’t built walls around yet. A place so raw and unguarded it startled even her.And then, just like that, she looked away.Not out of disrespect. Not to ignore me. She turned back to Sisi with the same fluid grace she always carriedI l
Selena’s POVHis mouth on mine had been heat and hunger.Fevered. Desperate. Devastating.The kind of kiss that peeled back layers. That tore me down to something raw and wanting.And I let it.Gods, I let it.I let his hands trace invisible lines on my skinI let my fingers curl into his hair like I’d always known the shape of him.I had wrapped my legs around him without thought, without hesitation, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Like he belonged there….pressed against me, between my thighs, muttering half-broken sounds into my mouth like I was the answer to some ache he’d carried too long.I had wanted to believe it. That I was wanted. Desired. Chosen.And I did believe it. For one stupid, breathless heartbeat, I believed it.Then—“Miss Selena!”The sound of the door The way it flew open like it was going to separate from the framesThe wound was enough to pull my out of the trance.I froze.Cassian stilled too, his fingers flexing where they’d gripped my waist
Cassian’s povI wanted her to speak. I wanted her to yell, to scold, to roll her eyes and say I was impossible.But she didn’t.And that silence was louder than any storm I’d ever survived.My fingers brushed the key’s cold edge. I should’ve stayed in my room. Should’ve let it go. Should’ve waited for her to come to me.But I couldn’t.The ache in my chest wasn’t the kind that time healed. It was the kind that demanded answers. Or maybejust maybe….a repeat of what I still couldn’t get out of my head: the feel of her lips on mine, soft and fiery all at once. The way she melted into the kiss like it was the only thing anchoring her to this world.She didn’t speak.She handed the key to a maid.She closed her door.And now?Now I was pacing my own room like a goddamn lunatic, my wolf restless beneath my skin, every step fueled by the memory of her lips on mine.She’d kissed me back.Gods, she’d kissed me like she meant it.Her hands in my hair, her breath tangled with mine, the way she
Selena’s POVI was still frozen.And I meant in every sense of the wordMy fingers remained on my dress as I clutched the hem tightly My lips? They still tingled frkm where his mouth had claimed them. It wasn’t gentlyIt wasn’t even possessivelyI couldn’t even olace a finger on itBut it was as though he was staking his life on it.Like he had been been waiting to kiss me for years..And I—Gods, I let him.Worse… I kissed him back.I had let my body take control and melted into himIn pubicAnd now, he would feel I wanted him as muchEverything that happened after was barely registered in my head.Everyone were clappingAnd sisi? Well she was jumping up and down like she had seen a fairytale come true..The crowd had parted just enough for me to catch my breath. But I couldn’t look at Cassian again….not yet. Not when my cheeks were still bright red and my thoughts were running everywhere in wild, dizzy circles.“You!” a voice called out, and before I could brace myself, a grou