Chapter 16
We sat in the parlor like we were preparing for a duel.
Kael took the armchair opposite mine, one leg crossed over the other, back perfectly straight. Not relaxed. Not stiff. Just measured. Like a man trained to never offer more of himself than necessary. He hadn't removed his gloves. He hadn't touched the biscuits. He hadn't said a word in five full minutes.
Elias sat beside me on the sofa, back impossibly straight, hands folded like a miniature diplomat preparing to deliver a verdict. I tried not to imagine him with a dagger hidden in his sleeve. Knowing Elias, it was probably under the cushion.
I crossed my legs, folded my hands in my lap, and did my best impersonation of a woman who hadn't spent the last four days scrubbing bloodstains out of antique rugs and arguing with squirrels in the garden.
The fire crackled softly. Even the air felt like it was holding its breath.
Kael broke the silence first.
"You sent a political proposal."
His voice was low. Rough in texture, not volume. Like stone ground just smooth enough to sharpen a blade on.
"I did," I replied, keeping my tone calm. Steady. Professional.
"You requested an engagement. For safety."
"Yes."
"No affection."
"Correct."
"No loyalty?"
"Only if mutually beneficial."
He stared at me then. Not blinking. Not smiling. Just quiet, dispassionate examination.
If he found anything lacking, he didn't say it.
After a long moment, he gave a single nod. "Good. I despise sentiment."
I smiled, slow and sharp. "Wonderful. I weaponize it."
A cough broke the tension—Elias.
"I feel very safe right now," he muttered.
We both ignored him.
Kael leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, gloves clasped. "Let's clarify a few things."
"Of course."
"This is not a union of hearts," he said.
"Obviously."
"There will be no joint accounts. No shared bed. No assumption of inheritance."
"Thrilled."
"You will not touch my sword collection."
That made me blink. "Wasn't planning to."
"Good. They're cursed."
I paused. "...Like, metaphorically?"
Kael looked at me.
"Noted."
He continued. "You are to remain publicly aligned with me. My name protects you. That is all. Any... emotional developments will be irrelevant to the agreement."
"Fine," I said, voice cool but not cold. "But the same goes for you. I'm not here to be charmed or claimed. I want autonomy, access, and the ability to say no when necessary."
"Then we're in agreement."
We sat there, two icebergs shaking hands beneath the table.
Finally, he said the words.
"I accept."
Just like that.
No ceremony. No flourish. No romantic music swelling in the background.
Just a man stating a fact, and a woman accepting the consequences.
I let myself exhale.
"Wonderful," I said, smiling too wide.
Kael's eyes flicked to my face. "That was not a joke."
"Oh, I wasn't joking. I'm just catastrophically relieved."
Elias leaned in and whispered, "Are we sure he's not a golem?"
"Unconfirmed," I whispered back.
Kael raised one brow. Just barely.
I cleared my throat. "There will be conditions, of course. Appearances to maintain. We'll need to stage a formal announcement and possibly some highly publicized non-events."
"Like a party?"
"Like a party neither of us enjoy."
Kael considered this. "Acceptable."
"Great."
Pause.
"So..." I said slowly. "How do you feel about holding hands once a month?"
Kael blinked.
"That's a joke," I added quickly.
He didn't respond.
That might've been the joke.
We sat a little longer, not quite relaxed but no longer hunting for weak spots. There was something grounding about him, in a grim, battle-worn sort of way. His presence was like a sword placed gently on a table—calm, but full of implied threat.
I could work with that.
Now all I had to do was survive living under the same roof as him.
What could possibly go wrong?
.
.
.
.
.
End of Chapter 16