Semua Bab Bound to The Enemy of My Mate : Bab 11 - Bab 20

Princess Ilyana led Kael into her chambers, her grip firm on his arm. A tea tray sat on the table. The air smelled of honeysuckle and something sharper. She placed her palm flat on his chest, her smile sweet. "Why so stiff, Kael? You don't have to act like I'm a stranger." He stepped back, breaking contact. "Princess, you mentioned my father in this. Let's get right to the point," Irritation flashed across her face. She waved a servant away, deftly slipping something onto the tray as they left. "Must you be so tense?" She settled on the couch, picking up her teacup. "Relax." "It's late. It's not proper for me to stay." Her cup clicked against the saucer. "Always so responsible. Does your wife value that loyalty?" Kael remained silent, his gaze steady. "We know each other too well for this formality, Kael. Why can't we just talk—really talk? "she pressed, leaning forward. "After everything we've been through... does it mean nothing?" Still, he said nothing. "You've always hi

It was almost midnight when Kael returned to his mansion, yet the head servant greeted him properly. He soon noticed the grimness in Kael's expression and how worn out he looked from his investigation into his late father's execution. But that was not something he dared to question, so instead, he asked something else—something clearer, or maybe safer to discuss. "Does the lady have other business, or is she staying the night at Malven's estate?" he asked carefully. But Kael's response was not what he had predicted. "What? Why do you ask that?" Kael was confused. "Ah, I'm sorry, my lord. I asked because the lady didn't return with you, so I made my own assumption." "Elira hasn't returned yet? But I sent her home hours ago." Now, panic was visible in Kael's eyes. It made the head servant bow quietly. "Maybe the lady decided to visit her father now," he voiced his opinion as calmly as possible, trying to ease his lord's panic. But it didn't help at all. "Then I will find out,

The moment Elira's horse passed through Rennar's gate, Kael was striding toward the front door, having just returned from a futile night of searching. A guard’s report—"The lady has returned!"—ignited a spark in his eyes. He stormed forward as her figure materialized through the dawn mist. She dismounted, her gown torn and splashed with blood, but her eyes burned with defiant resolve. Kael didn't hesitate. He rushed to her, pulling off his mantle and wrapping it around her. His hands trembled. "Are you hurt?" His open concern made her flinch, the warmth of the gesture at odds with the ice in her veins. He scanned her for wounds, and finding none, exhaled a ragged breath of relief. Her hybrid nature had protected her. From behind a shaded tree, a shadowed figure watched. As Elira walked ahead of him into the hall, Kael’s voice stopped her. "What happened?" "Why ask me?" Her voice was sharp as a blade. "Go talk to your perfect little princess." She pulled a metal pendant from he

Kael and Elira now sat silently inside the Rennar carriage that drove them back to the mansion. While Elira's eyes focused on something—nothing particular—in front of them, Kael's eyes focused on her hand which was still holding his. Kael slowly interlocked their fingers together, which surprised her and made Elira aware that their hands were still holding each other. She turned to his side and tried to yank her hand away, but Kael's grip became stronger. "Aren't you supposed to calm me down till the end?" he meant to tease her. But the tiredness in his tone and his worn eyes made it appear more like a plea than a tease. Yet Elira, being too aware of their close contact, didn't want to continue again. She pulled her hand away from him strongly, leaving Kael's hand in mid air, gripping at nothing. He smirked, yet his eyes seemed sad. The emptiness of her absent touch lingered on his empty palm. "You look terrible. Shouldn't you take a rest instead? I don't think you would be ple

Elira was taken aback by Kael's sudden honeymoon proposal. Especially when he mentioned the word wife in his statement. This was the second time he called her like that, and somehow each time it sent an uncomfortable twinge through her chest. His playfulness hid beneath his cold calculation. She could smell the affection in that word that shouldn't mean anything. It was a contracted marriage. Funny enough how she reminded herself about it when he called her his wife. "Why do we need to act as blissful newlyweds for our undercover? I'm sure we have plenty of options to make the plan go smoothly," Elira tried to make an excuse just to reject his proposal. "Oh right, give me one example," Kael nodded and smirked playfully at her remark, as if challenging her and sure that he would come out as the winner. "Well!" Elira lifted her chin, determined to prove him wrong. But after a long pause, even her sharp mind couldn't come up with anything. Kael's smirk grew wider. "See? Honeymoo