Chapter 23
KIERAN
I watch Seraphina gesture animatedly while telling Cassius some story, more relaxed than I’ve seen her since she arrived. My jaw clenches hard enough to ache.
It’s been two weeks since she arrived at Winterhold. Two weeks of watching her settle in—not with me, but with him. Every dinner is the same. Cassius finds his way to her end of the table, leans in close, whispers things that make her eyes light up. And I sit here pretending not to notice while my wolf tears at my consciousness.
“Your Majesty?” Commander Thane’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “The supply reports from the eastern border?”
“What about them?” I don’t take my eyes off Seraphina.
She’s wearing deep blue tonight, the color bringing out the violet in her eyes. Her dark hair is pinned up, exposing that pale throat where my mark used to sit. The rejection scar has faded to silver, barely visible, but I know exactly where it is.
“They’re requesting additional rations before the heavy snow hits.” Thane follows my gaze across the hall. “Shall I approve it?”
“Fine. Whatever.” I finally look at him. “Is there anything else?”
His expression suggests he wants to say something about my distraction, but he’s smart enough to keep his mouth shut. “No, Your Majesty.”
He retreats, and my attention snaps back to Seraphina. Cassius has moved closer to her, his hand resting on the table near hers. Not touching, but close enough that it might as well be.
She laughs at something he says, her whole face transforming with genuine warmth I haven’t seen directed at me once since she arrived.
My wolf snarls in my mind. That’s our mate. We need to stop him.
“She’s not our mate anymore,” I mutter under my breath. “I rejected her, remember?”
Doesn’t matter. She’s still ours.
I drain my goblet and signal for more wine. The servant who refills it keeps her eyes down, probably sensing my foul mood.
Azriel sits between Seraphina and me, chattering about the snow fort we built earlier. He’s completely oblivious to the tension crackling through the hall, to the way his mother won’t look at me, to the way Cassius keeps finding excuses to lean close and whisper things that make her smile.
“Papa?” Azriel tugs on my sleeve. “Are you listening?”
“Of course.” I force myself to focus on my son. “What were you saying?”
“Commander Thane said I’m getting good with the practice targets. Can I try the moving ones tomorrow?”
I almost say yes automatically, then catch myself. Two weeks ago I told her she didn’t get to dictate terms about our son. But I started asking her permission the very next day—once I realized she fights me less when she thinks she has control. It’s been working. Mostly.
“Ask your mother.”
Azriel turns to Seraphina. “Mama? Can I?”
She tears her attention away from Cassius, surprise still flickering across her face like it does every time I defer to her. You’d think after two weeks she’d stop being shocked by it.
“Moving targets? That seems advanced.”
“It’s supervised,” I say. “He’s ready.”
“I suppose that’s fine.”
“I will!” Azriel bounces in his seat. “Thank you, Mama!”
She smiles at him, all warmth and love, then her expression goes carefully neutral when her eyes meet mine. “Was there anything else?”
“No.” I look away first, hating myself for it.
The meal continues with painful slowness. I force myself to eat, to participate in conversations with the nobles seated near me, to pretend I’m not acutely aware of every time Cassius makes Seraphina laugh.
When dinner finally ends, I stand abruptly. “Azriel, time for bed.”
“But I’m not tired—”
“Bed.” My tone brooks no argument.
Seraphina rises immediately, protective instinct flaring in her eyes. “I’ll take him.”
“We’ll both take him.” I step around the table before she can protest.
The three of us walk through the corridors in tense silence, Azriel between us, holding both our hands. It should feel right—father, mother, and child. Instead, it feels like walking on shattered glass.
When we reach Azriel’s chambers, Seraphina immediately moves to help him into his nightclothes. I stand in the doorway, watching as she goes through what must be their nightly routine—helping him wash up, combing his hair, tucking him into bed.
“Story?” Azriel asks hopefully.
“Of course.” She settles on the edge of his bed, and I find myself moving closer, drawn by something I can’t name.
She tells him a story about a brave wolf who defended his pack through a terrible winter. Her voice is soft, soothing, and I watch Azriel’s eyes grow heavy. By the time she reaches the ending, he’s asleep.
She stands carefully, smoothing his dark hair back from his forehead. When she turns, she startles to find me still there.
“I thought you left,” she whispers, moving toward the door.
“We need to talk.” I follow her out into the sitting room, closing Azriel’s door behind us.
“About what?” She crosses her arms, defensive.
“About Cassius.”
Her eyebrows rise. “What about him?”
“He’s spending a lot of time with you.”
“He’s being friendly.” She shrugs. “So?”
“So… nothing. Just noticed.”
She stares at me for a moment, clearly confused by the pointless observation. “Okay. Well, I’m going to bed now.”
“Right.” I step aside. “Goodnight.”
She disappears into her chambers, and the door closes with a soft click.
I stand there for a long moment, realizing how stupid that sounded. But I couldn’t help myself. Watching them together, seeing her comfortable with him when she’s so guarded with me…
My wolf paces restlessly. The bond pulls at my chest.
And I have no idea what to do about any of it.
The next morning, I’m woken by a knock on my door. I drag myself out of bed, having slept poorly, and find Commander Thane waiting.
“What is it?” My voice is rougher than usual.
“Lord Cassius has requested permission to take Princess Seraphina riding this afternoon. He thought it might help her acclimate to the territory.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, but I keep my expression neutral. “Did he?”
“He’s waiting for your approval.” Thane’s expression is carefully neutral. “Shall I grant it?”
It’s a reasonable request. Cassius is my senior advisor. Seraphina should learn the territory. There’s no logical reason to refuse.
But the thought of them alone together, riding through the forest, talking and laughing where I can’t see them…
“Assign guards to accompany them,” I hear myself say.
“Your Majesty, for a simple ride within our borders—”
“That’s an order, Thane.”
He studies me for a moment. “Of course. And how many guards would you like assigned?”
“Four. No—six.” I turn away from his knowing look. “The western trails can be dangerous.”
“The western trails can be dangerous.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” There’s something in Thane’s tone, not quite amusement, but close. “Anything else?”
“Make sure they stay within sight of the fortress.” The words come out before I can stop them. “And they’re to return before dark.”
“Understood.” Thane bows and turns to leave, then pauses. “Should I inform them these are… security protocols? Or personal orders?”
I glare at him. “Just relay the instructions, Commander.”
After he leaves, I dress quickly and head down to the training yards where I promised to meet Azriel. My son is already there, bundled in warm clothes, his eyes bright with excitement as he watches the warriors prepare for their morning drills.
“Papa!” He runs over when he sees me. “They said I can stand on the platform so I can see everything!”
“Did they?” I ruffle his dark hair, trying to focus on him instead of imagining what Seraphina and Cassius might be talking about right now. “That’s very kind of them.”
We spend the morning watching the warriors spar. Azriel asks endless questions—about technique, about strategy, about why certain moves work better than others. I answer patiently, grateful for the distraction.
But my eyes keep drifting toward the fortress entrance, watching for Seraphina and Cassius to emerge for their ride.
When they finally do, my wolf nearly takes over.
Seraphina is dressed in riding clothes—dark trousers and a fitted jacket that shows off her figure. Her hair is braided down her back, and she’s laughing at something Cassius said. He helps her mount her horse, his hands lingering on her waist longer than necessary.
The warriors continue their drills, but I’m no longer watching. My attention is locked on Seraphina and Cassius as they ride toward the gates, six of my guards following at what Cassius probably thinks is a discreet distance.
“Papa?” Azriel tugs on my hand. “Did you see that move? The big warrior just—”
“Not now, Azriel.”
The sharpness in my tone makes him flinch, and immediately I regret it. I kneel down to his level. “I’m sorry, son. I just… need to focus on something for a moment.”
He follows my gaze and spots his mother riding away. “Is Mama going somewhere?”
“Just for a ride.” I force myself to look away, to focus on him. “Now, tell me about this move you saw.”
But even as I listen to Azriel’s excited explanation, my mind is elsewhere. Imagining Seraphina and Cassius alone together in the forest. Imagining him making her laugh, making her feel safe, giving her everything I can’t.
The bond pulls tight in my chest, and my wolf snarls with possessive fury.
She’s ours, he insists. Stop this.
“She’s not ours anymore,” I repeat, but the words ring hollow even to my own ears.
Because the truth is, bond or no bond, rejection or not, Seraphina will always be mine.
