Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Ellie POV
The café was trendy, with glass walls at the front and a beautiful mural depicting wolves along the wall behind the outdoor seating area out back. The morning rush had already passed and the lunch rush hadn’t started, so it wasn’t busy at the moment.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel out of place.
I tugged at the sleeve of my dress as the hostess led me toward the private alcove where Kieran was waiting. A simple lunch, that’s what he had promised. Just conversation to get to know each other, nothing political.
I wasn’t naïve enough to believe that.
Kieran rose as I approached, every movement smooth, practiced. He was dressed a tailored suit, his smile sharp but polished, as if he’d worn it a thousand times before.
He pulled my chair out for me like a gentleman, but his eyes didn’t leave mine once. “Ellie,” he said warmly. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come p>
“I almost didn’t,” I admitted, sliding into the chair.
He chuckled, settling opposite me. “I admire your honesty. Most people would’ve made up some polite excuse about traffic p>
“Polite excuses are a waste of breath,” I muttered, reaching for the water glass set at my place. My hands were steady, though my pulse wasn’t p>
This was such a reckless thing for me to do. I couldn’t believe I was actually on a date with Kieran. If anyone recognized us together it could cause a scandal. But his offer wouldn’t leave my head and my curiosity had gotten the better of me.
The waiter appeared to take our orders, and Kieran dismissed him with the ease of someone born to command attention. As soon as we were alone again, his focus sharpened.
“I wanted to thank you for agreeing to meet me,” he said. “I know the idea I mentioned at the party was… unexpected p>
“That’s one way to put it.” I took a slow sip of water, buying myself a moment. “It’s hardly an ordinary thing to propose marriage to a married woman,” I pointed out. “Unhappily married,” he replied coolly. “Nolan makes you miserable, you can’t deny that. The look on your face when he’s near says it all p>
I looked down at the table cloth while I tried to think of a diplomatic response. He was right, to a degree. I was miserable with Nolan for a long time. But it was more complicated than that now.
Still I had to be careful how much I revealed. I didn’t know if I could trust Kieran. I couldn’t be sure how much of his charm was really meant to win me over and how much was meant to hide his true intentions.
Then again, he had been straight with me about his motivations for this. He hadn’t attempted to convince me he was in love or that we belonged together. This was political, nothing more. We each had something to offer the other that could be beneficial.
It seemed too simple.
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“Marriage isn’t something I can even consider right now, Kieran. Especially not for politics p>
His smile didn’t falter, though I saw the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “I didn’t expect you to accept right away. I only wanted you to think about it. To see the possibilities p>
“I have thought about it.” I set the glass down with a soft clink. “And the possibilities look a lot like chains. I’ve already lived through one arranged marriage, and it nearly broke me. I won’t go back to that, not for anyone p>
For the briefest second, something hardened in his gaze. Then the charm returned, smooth as silk.
“You mistake me,” he said gently. “This wouldn’t be chains, Ellie. This would be freedom. Power. Security. Together, you and I could reshape this entire kingdom. No more elders trying to corner you, no more whispers about your worth. You’d have protection, respect-
“And a husband I hardly know,” I cut in. “Forgive me if that doesn’t sound like freedom p>
The silence stretched between us. His jaw flexed once before he leaned back in his chair, studying me like a puzzle.
“Fair enough,” he said finally. “You’re cautious. I expected nothing less. But one day, you may find caution isn’t enough p>
The words weren’t a threat, not outright, but they left a chill in my bones. He had no idea how accurate his statement was. It wasn’t just myself that I had to be cautious for. I needed to think of my family.
Cassian couldn’t take care of the twins forever. It wasn’t fair of me to put that responsibility on him as much as I was already. I needed to find a safe home for them and the sooner the better. This arrangement with Nolan wasn’t going to last much longer.
I needed an exit plan.
I forced a smile. “Let’s change the subject. You said this wasn’t supposed to be political p>
His lips curved, though it wasn’t quite amusement. “Alright, no politics. Let’s talk about something else.” He leaned forward, lowering his voice just slightly. “Tell me, Ellie-who helped you p>
My breath caught. “What p>
“When you ran,” he clarified, his tone deceptively light. “You didn’t vanish on your own. Someone helped you get out of Silver Fang and disappear. I’ve always wondered who it was. A friend? A stranger? Or was it someone you still keep in touch with p>
My fingers curled tight around the edge of the table. “Why are you asking me that?” He tilted his head, eyes gleaming. “Because I remember that night. You called me, desperate, broken. You asked for help, and I offered it. I would’ve given it, too, if you’d trusted me. But instead, you vanished. So forgive me if my curiosity lingers p>
I stared at him, searching for the angle. Was he warning me that he could expose the truth if he wanted to? Or was he genuinely wounded that I hadn’t chosen him back then?
Either way, it made my skin crawl.
“I don’t owe you that answer,” I said finally, keeping my voice steady.
His smile returned, polite and disarming. “No, you don’t. But someday, you might want to tell me anyway. Especially if you find yourself needing help again p>
The waiter returned then with our meals, breaking the tension. I barely touched the food, my stomach too tight to
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manage more than a few bites.
Kieran kept the conversation light after that harmless anecdotes, charming observations-but beneath every word, I felt the weight of his earlier questions.
When the meal finally ended, he stood and offered his hand to help me up. I ignored it, rising on my own
Thank you for the banch,” I said, my tone polite but clipped.
*ty pleasure.” His eyes lingered on me, sharp and knowing “I look forward to our
next p>
I didn’t promise there would be one. I just turned and walked away, my heels clicking sharply against the
obblestone floor.
Outside, the sunlight felt too bright, the air too thin. I drew in a deep breath, but the unease didn’t leave me.
If Kieran had only wanted to charm me, I could have brushed it off. But the way he’d brought up my disappearance -the way he reminded me of that call, of his knowledge-made it clear.
He wasn’t just offering protection. He was reminding me of the power he still held.
And I hated how unsettled that left me.
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