"Stay close," he said, as if my existence in the room would break something.
His big coat was still around my shoulders, smelling of smoke and him. Every time it moved with my steps, I felt a little protected and trapped. I didn't know which one was worse.
The corridor stretched long, lit with silver torches that flickered as we passed.
I heard voices. Men laughing. Annoyingly loud. Kaelvion brothers again.
He slowed down a little, almost like he was deciding if he wanted to deal with them or walk straight into hell instead.
But it was too late. They were already coming toward us.
Three men, with the one in front standing as if he had control over everyone. He was taller than Kaelvion, just a little bit with smooth black hair tied behind his head and a smirk that made my spine twist.
Darius. The rival brother. I knew it before a word was said.
Behind him were the other two— Cassian, the prince who welcomed me earlier, I guess he was the one who informed the other two, and Veylan, the youngest prince.
"Well," Darius said, voice full of jealousy, "look who decided to come home. And he brought a bride that looks like she'll break if I breathe near her."
Kaelvion stopped walking. I almost bumped into him. His shoulders went stiff, but he said nothing. The silence made Daruis's smile go wider.
"She's tiny. Did you really pick her or did someone else do that for you? Can't believe this is your type of girl, brother "Cassian said mockingly.
Veylan laughed. "Maybe she was the only one who didn't run away from him."
My body boiled with anger. I didn't know what to do with them, so I held the coat tighter around me.
Their eyes felt like pressing fingers into my skin.
Kaelvion still didn't say anything. He just stared straight ahead, jaw hard.
And I don't know why it hurts me a little. I expected him to say something, just anything, even if it wasn't about defending me.
Darius stepped forward, his eyes scanning me. "She's shaking. Gods, she looks like she wandered in by accident."
Cassian added, "Or she's already regretting marrying him."
I could see Kaelvion clenching his fist very hard. That was the only sign that showed he was listening to every word his brothers were saying.
Darius laughed softly. "Look at him. He won't defend himself. Not even now. The same old Kael, always silent. A dog pretending to be a wolf."
I've had enough of these talks. I really don't like them bullying him this way because they all want the same thing— the throne.
"That's not true!" I said before realizing I should've just kept quiet. "He's not what you're saying."
Their faces snapped to me, all at once that I almost regretted what I just did.
Darius lifted a brow. "She talks back."
Cassian grinned. "Isn't she cute?"
Kaelvion's head turned, shocked for a second, he didn't expect me to open my mouth at all. His eyes searched mine quickly, checking if I was scared or being stupid.
Darius crossed his arms. "So, little bride, you think you know him more than we do?"
"No," I said. "But I know you're trying to humiliate him on purpose. And you're doing it in front of me."
My hands were shaking , so I had to hide them inside the sleeves so no one would see.
Veylan laughed harder. "She has claws."
Darius leaned closer like he wanted to see what I'd do. "And what will you do if I keep talking? Cry?"
"No," I whispered. "I'll remember."
His smile is gone. "Remember what?"
"That you were cruel the first time I saw you."
There was a heavy and thick silence. Cassian muttered something under his breath. Vale stopped laughing completely.
Darius stared at me for a long moment, and I couldn't tell if he wanted to push me down the stairs or pat my head.
Then he turned to Kaelvion. "You taught her that? To speak for you?"
Kaelvion voice dropped. "Don't speak to her again."
Finally, he spoke. Darius didn't back off. He leaned in even closer to Kaelvion, wanting to provoke him even more. "Do you think hiding behind a tiny girl will make you worthy of the throne?"
Kaelvion's arm moved so fast the torches flickered. He grabbed Darius by the collar and slammed him into the nearest wall so hard dust fell from the stone.
My breath got stuck halfway out of my lungs.
Cassian and Veylan took a step forward but just a glare from Kaelvion, they stopped instantly.
He pressed Darius against the wall with one forearm, his voice low, dangerous, quiet enough that only we heard it.
"Say one more word about her," Thorian whispered, "and I'll make you kiss the ground."
Darius didn't laugh this time. His eyes stayed steady, refusing to look away. I didn't know who breathed first… him or me.
Kaelvion let go of him, stepping back shoulders rising and falling like something inside him was clawing to get out.
Darius straightened his tunic, eyes flicking to me once before he spoke. "So that's what it takes to make you defend something. Not yourself. Her?"
He chuckled, but it was weaker now. "Interesting."
Darius walked past us without looking back. Cassian followed with a shrug. Veylan paused to say, "Good luck, princess. You'll need it," before leaving too.
The hallway went quiet again.
"Your Highness," I called softly.
He didn't look at me.
I walked closer anyway, touching his arm. "Are you… Alright?"
I think that was the first time I really saw what people meant when they whispered devil's heir.
Not because of horns or red glowing eyes or anything like that. It was his look. The shadows in it. The sharpness. Like he was made of things no one understands.
But then he blinked, and it softened, slightly.
"You shouldn't have spoken," he said.
"I know," I whispered.
"Then why did you?"
I looked down at my fingers twisting his coat sleeve. "Because they were being mean."
He stared at me not knowing what to do with that answer.
"People are always mean to me," he said quietly. "I don't need you to protect me."
"I know," I said. "But I wanted to."
His jaw flexed again. This time not from anger. Something… else.
He looked away quickly. "Come on. You need a rest."
A part of me kept replaying that moment — him slamming his brother into the wall, the way his voice sounded when he warned them. I should've been terrified. But I wasn't. Maybe I should worry about that.
He stopped in front of a door carved with wild flowers and moons. It was prettier than the others.
When he opened it, warm air brushed over us. A fireplace glowed softly inside, It looked safer than the rest of the castle.
Then I saw the bed. Huge. One bed. No second place for him.
Kaelvion noticed me staring and cleared his throat. "Calm down. I don't sleep."
"What do you mean… You don't sleep?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
He walked inside as if it were normal. "I haven't slept in years."
"Wait… why?"
He didn't answer at first. His back turned to me, shoulders in the firelight.
"It's part of the curse," he said quietly. "Sleeping is very dangerous for me."
"Dangerous how? Please."
He looked over his shoulder. "If you want the truth, you'll get it. But not tonight."
I nodded because I'm too dizzy to ask more questions.
He walked to the window and drew aside the heavy curtains. "You'll have the bed. All of it. I won't touch you this night."
"Y… yes, we shouldn't do that for now,"
"If you ask me to… that's different. Until then, I'd be sleeping in the other room."
My cheeks warmed so fast I covered them with my hands. "I'm not— I wasn't—"
He smirked. "I know. Only when your body is ready to accept me, I'll do whatever that I want to it as your husband'
I dropped my hands and glared weakly at him.
He moved toward the door slowly, like he didn't want to startle me. "I'll be outside. I won't be far."
"Your highess?"
He paused. I stared, fingers playing with the coat sleeve again. "Thank you for earlier. With your brothers."
His eyes softened in a way I don't think he let anyone else see. "Don't thank me for that."
"Why? It's the first time someone has ever taken my side."
He shook his head. "One day, you'll understand why that's not something to thank me for."
Before I could ask what he meant, he opened the door.
"Goodnight, Liora."
I almost whispered goodnight back… but again I remembered the way he said he didn't sleep.
So I just said, "Stay close, please."
His hand froze on the door handle. Then he nodded. "As you wish."
He left, closing the door behind him.
As I stood there in the warm quiet room, the fire glowing, the shadows moving, his coat around me like a shield I didn't want to take off.
I sat on the edge of the bed slowly, for the first time since I left home, I didn't feel completely alone. Just a little scared bit scared.
Why does the cursed prince make me feel safer than anyone ever has?t