Frozen Desire

Cassian's heart thundered in his chest as he pulled Seraphina into his arms, enveloping her in his warmth, trying to soothe the tremor that had taken root in her body. The storm outside raged on, but in his arms, Sera found a moment of peace—her breathing slowing, the tension in her body unwinding.

He could feel the weight of her fears, the quiet anxiety that had consumed her when she'd revealed the unsettling presence of someone watching her. But for now, in this moment, he would be the shield between her and whatever danger was closing in.

She shifted slightly, her head resting on his chest, and he couldn't help but trace the curve of her shoulder with his fingertips. His thumb brushed over the delicate line of her collarbone, the soft rise and fall of her chest filling him with a warmth he couldn't explain.

Cassian didn't want to leave. He didn't want to leave her in this vulnerable state, alone with her thoughts, and with the weight of the world pressing down on her. The thought of her being hurt—or worse—pushed his protective instincts to their limit.

"You're safe now," he whispered softly into her hair, pressing a tender kiss to the top of her head. "I'm not going anywhere."

Sera's response was a quiet murmur, and he felt the shift in her body as she relaxed into the bed. Her breathing deepened as her body succumbed to the exhaustion of the day, the tension in her muscles finally melting away.

Cassian stayed by her side, refusing to let the thought of leaving her be an option. As the night wore on, he stayed, keeping her company until her eyelids fluttered shut, and the storm outside eventually seemed to fade into the background.

Only once he was sure she was truly asleep did he quietly extricate himself from the bed, making sure not to disturb her.

Cassian stood by the window for a long moment, watching the storm in the distance, his mind working through everything that had happened. He needed to do something—anything—to keep her safe. The power his father wielded was suffocating, and Cassian had no idea how far Victor would go to assert control. But what he did know was that Sera had somehow become more than just a passing distraction. She had become a part of his world in a way he didn't know how to fight.

His phone buzzed once, signaling the arrival of his driver.

Cassian moved to her bedside one last time, bending down to press a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for a brief moment, his fingers brushing through her damp hair. He didn't want to leave, but he knew he had to.

He glanced at her one last time before heading out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him. The weight of the night, of his father's looming presence, and of the threat against Sera weighed heavily on his mind. He knew he needed to return to his father's world. But a part of him would always remain with her.

The walk down the stairs to the street was filled with nothing but silence. The weight of his thoughts made the air feel thick with tension.

When he stepped into the car, he sank into the seat, his eyes staring ahead as the city passed by in a blur. His driver remained quiet, knowing better than to speak unless spoken to. Cassian sat there, lost in the thought of Seraphina, wondering just how far his father was willing to go to enforce his will on his life—and now, hers.