Chapter Five - Forbidden Kiss

Arianna's POV 

I walked through the palace gardens, lost in thought. It had been days since my confrontation with Kael, and I could not shake the feeling that something had shifted between us.

Ever since then, Kael began to act soft towards me. He was not bugging me or ordering me around. It seemed like the walls he had set between us had finally collapsed. I was unaware of how to feel, whether to let my guard down or not. 

I wondered if that was just one of Kael's scheme to manipulate me, it was hard for me to trust him, to trust anyone at all.

I sighed heavily and allowed the cool breeze to pull my hair sideways. I enjoyed the deafening silence, it was soothing and calm to my spirit. 

As I turned a corner, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I was startled by the noise. I turned around averted my gaze towards the direction of the culprit that had just interrupted my peace.

My jaw dropped as I saw Kael approaching me, his eyes fixed on mine.

"Arianna," he said, his voice low. "What are you doing out here?" He asked. My brows furrowed in confusion at me. I immediately replied his question with a question of my own. "Am I not allowed to be here?" I asked.

"Actually, this is my comfort spot. I come here to take a short walk when I either feel overwhelmed or confused. The breeze here is soothing to the mind, not to mention the calming aura." Kael said, he sounded like a poet and i could not help but smile at that.

"Should I leave?" I suddenly realized that he might have been hinting at that. Maybe he wanted to have his comfort zone to himself. I mentally scolded myself for not realizing that soon.

"No no." He said in a haste. I halted in my steps and gazed at him with a surprised look on my face. He was acting quite weird, unusual too.

"I mean no. We can both share the spot just this once." Kael said with a slight shrug. I mouthed an "Oh-" and slowly nodded my hwad at him.

Kael and i walked side by side in silence. He looked like he had a lot to say but he wanted to bottle up his words. Maybe save them for later. Our arms accidentally brushed past each other's and I felt a jolt of electricity course through my veins.

Kael halted in his steps, it seemed like he had felt the same thing to. The expression on his face softened as he turned to gaze at me. My heart began to race extremely fast.

What was happening? I felt this strong connection towards Kael. It was beyond words to explain.

"Arianna." Kael called out my voice softly. The way he stared at me sent butterflies down my stomach. The hairs on my skin rose as I felt his hands slowly touch my skin.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was about to do. But before I could ask, he reached out and grasped my arm, pulling me close.

For a moment, we just stood there, our faces inches apart. I could feel the tension between us, the spark of attraction that I had een trying to ignore.

And then, without warning, Kael's lips crashed down on mine.

I felt a rush of excitement, my heart racing as I kissed him back. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

But just as quickly as it had started, Kael pulled away, his eyes wide with shock. My shoulders slumped in defeat and I heaved a sigh of disappointment. I wanted more.

"Arianna, I am sorry," he said, his voice breathless. "I did not mean to do that."

I stood there, feeling stunned and confused. Why had he kissed me, and then apologized for it

Before I could ask, Kael turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the garden.

I watched him go, feeling a mix of emotions. I was angry, confused, and yet...I could not deny the spark that had ignited between us.

As I made my way back to my room, I could not stop thinking about the feeling that something had just changed between us. Kael had kissed me willingly. He was not forced, neither was he seduced. He had done it out of his own will.

As I turned a corner, I ran into Elaine, Kael's betrothed. She looked at me with a cold, calculating gaze.

My heart began to race extremely fast in fear as I stared at her. Her presence scared me. She seemed like the kind of person that could sabotage me just because of her own selfish desires.

My mind drifted back to the kiss between I and Kael. I suddenly hoped in my heart that she had not seen that or else, hell would rain on earth. She would make me suffer for my sins, I knew she was more than capable of that. She held authority.

"Arianna," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "I see you are still trying to sink your claws into Kael." She spat out bitterly. 

I felt a slightly angry at her words. She made it seem like I was the one rushing after Kael like a lost puppy. But before I could respond to her insensitive remark, Elaine dropped a bombshell.

"I am carrying Kael's child," she said, her eyes glinting with triumph. "And I will do whatever it takes to protect my family."

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Kael had kissed me, and yet...he was engaged to Elaine, and apparently, they were having a child together. What kind of king would do such a thing?.8 felt like a fool, I felt stupid. 

I stood there, feeling stunned and betrayed. What kind of game was Kael playing?

And as I looked into Elaine's cold, hard eyes, I knew that I was in grave danger.