3

Ronan’s POV

The knock at the door came like a gunshot in the quiet night, shattering whatever fragile peace had settled between Selene and me. I caught her startled expression out of the corner of my eye, her wide violet eyes reflecting the same unease creeping up my spine.

“Stay here,” I told her, my voice low but firm.

She nodded, but I could feel her gaze on me as I moved toward the door. My senses sharpened; every instinct told me this wasn’t a social visit.

The door creaked open, and sure enough, there he was—Kael. Of all people, he was the last one I wanted to see tonight.

“Ronan,” he drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe. His gray eyes swept past me and into the room, landing squarely on Selene. His smirk deepened, a look I’d come to despise.

“Well, well,” Kael said, amusement dripping from every syllable. “You’ve been busy. Didn’t know you were in the business of rescuing damsels.”

I stepped fully into the doorway, blocking his view. “She’s not a damsel, and this isn’t your business, Kael.”

He ignored me, as usual, pushing past me into the cabin without so much as an invitation. He acted like he owned the place, but that was Kael for you—always testing boundaries.

His gaze latched onto Selene again, his smirk never wavering. “And you are?”

Selene didn’t flinch, to her credit. “Selene,” she said, her chin lifting in defiance.

A flicker of approval crossed Kael’s face. “A strong name. Rare, too.”

“That’s enough,” I snapped, stepping between them. My patience with him was running thin.

Kael chuckled, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. “Relax, Ronan. I’m just curious. You never bring anyone here, so you can’t blame me for wondering what makes her special.”

“She’s under my protection,” I said coldly, the words cutting through the tension. “That’s all you need to know.”

For a moment, Kael seemed to consider pushing further. But then he sighed, stepping back toward the door. “Fine. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone. But don’t forget—tomorrow’s council meeting isn’t optional. You can’t hide forever.”

He threw one last glance at Selene, his smirk turning almost predatory. “Good luck, Selene. You’ll need it.”

The door closed behind him, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Turning back to Selene, I found her watching me, a mix of confusion and unease in her expression.

“Sorry about that,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “Kael has a knack for making things more complicated than they need to be.”

“Who is he?” she asked, her curiosity obvious.

“A friend,” I said reluctantly. “And a nuisance.”

She seemed to accept my answer, though I could tell she wanted to ask more. I didn’t blame her. Kael had a way of leaving questions in his wake, and I didn’t have the energy to explain them all.

Needing to distract myself—and her—I turned to the fireplace, stoking the flames until they roared to life. The heat seeped into the room, chasing away the chill Kael had left behind.

“You hungry?” I asked, glancing back at her.

She hesitated before nodding. “A little.”

I nodded, disappearing into the kitchen to find something edible. Cooking wasn’t exactly my forte, but I could manage something simple. As I worked, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her. She looked so out of place in this cabin, like a piece of another world that had somehow found its way into mine.

When I handed her the bowl of soup, she murmured a quiet “thank you,” her voice softer than I expected. Watching her take the first bite, her shoulders relaxing, felt oddly satisfying.

We ate in silence, the kind that wasn’t uncomfortable but rather an unspoken acknowledgment of shared exhaustion.

When she finished, she set her bowl aside and looked at me. “Why are you helping me?”

Her question caught me off guard. I met her gaze, searching for the right words. “Because I can,” I said simply. “And because I know what it’s like to feel lost.”

The truth of my words hung in the air between us. I didn’t elaborate, and she didn’t press, but something shifted.

I cleared the dishes, needing the distraction, and when I returned, I told her to take the bed upstairs. She started to protest, but I shut it down before she could argue. She needed rest, more than I did.

As she climbed the stairs, I watched her go, a strange protectiveness settling over me. It wasn’t just about keeping her safe anymore—it was about giving her the chance to find herself again.

---

Hours later, long after I’d settled on the couch, the sound of footsteps at the door jolted me awake. I moved quickly, my senses on high alert.

When I opened the door, I wasn’t surprised to see Darian. His face was grim, his usual easy demeanor replaced by urgency.

“We can’t stay here,” he said without preamble. “It’s not safe.”

“I know,” I replied, keeping my voice low. “But she needs time.”

“She doesn’t have time, Ronan,” Darian countered. “The council will come for her, and when they do—”

“I won’t let that happen,” I cut him off, my tone firm.

Darian sighed, his frustration evident. “You’re playing a dangerous game, brother. Be careful.”

Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the night. I stood there for a moment, staring into the darkness before locking the door.

As I returned to the couch, I caught a glimpse of movement upstairs. Selene. She’d heard.

I didn’t look up, pretending I hadn’t noticed, but the weight of her questions was palpable.

I sank back onto the couch, my mind racing. I’d taken a risk bringing her here, but the alternative was unthinkable.

No matter what it took, I’d love her. Even if it cost me everything.