Chapter 9: Close Enough to Burn

Maeve’s POV

The first thing I noticed was the thick velvet curtain swaying gently from the open window. The second was that this wasn’t my room.

The plush bedding, the carved bookshelves lining the walls, the scent of old paper and sandalwood, this was somewhere else entirely. My limbs stretched slowly beneath the silk covers, my body still warm from sleep, my mind spinning as the memory returned.

The library.

I must have drifted off.

My heart jumped, fluttered briefly in my chest before it was soothed by the realization that someone, him, must have carried me here.

I inhaled deeply, the scent of pine and firewood still clinging faintly to the pillow. His scent.

Kael.

His name pulses like a secret against my rib.

I sat up and looked around. The room was elegant yet modest, clearly a guest room but with care put into its comfort. I touched my hair, smoothing down the sleep-tangled strands as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

I had to find him.

Padding across the carpeted floor, I found my slippers neatly placed at the foot of the bed. The small, thoughtful detail made my chest squeeze.

He could’ve left me in the library, or worse, sent me home. But he didn’t. He brought me here. Safe. Warm. Protected.

And he didn’t touch me.

Why not?

The question burned as I stepped out into the hallway and made my way back to the study, using the same route he brought me in. It’s best to avoid running into anyone in the area, especially Lady Ingrid.

My eyes traced the polished wood walls, the warm lantern glow casting shadows that danced like whispers down the corridor.

When I reached the last step of the stairs, I paused and fixed my appearance briefly. I finger-combed my curls into order, pinched some color into my cheeks, and adjusted the top of my dress just so.

I wasn’t here just to thank him. I wanted to see how far he’d bend.

The door creaked softly as I pushed it open.

He stood by the tall windows, back to me, dressed in dark navy robes that clung to his broad frame. The moonlight cut across his figure, silvering his shoulders, his profile regal and distant.

But I could feel it, the subtle shift in the air as he sensed me.

“You’re awake,” he said without turning. His voice was calm, collected, too calm. “I thought you’d sleep longer.”

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I said, stepping into the room. “Your library was far too comfortable.”

“It tends to do that to people,” he replied, turning to face me now. His eyes landed on me and, just for a second, they flickered. A small betrayal of restraint.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Like a child in the arms of the moon.” I smiled, slow and sweet. “Thank you… for taking care of me.”

He gave a subtle nod, but I caught the tightening in his jaw, the way his hand clenched slightly where it rested against the armchair.

I walked past him and trailed my fingers along the books stacked on his desk, pretending not to feel the weight of his gaze on me.

“I meant to read the book,” I murmured. “But I got distracted.”

“That much was obvious.”

I turned, catching his eye. “You should be flattered. Not many men could command such thoughts that a girl forgets where she is.”

His brow arched, and his lips twitched into the barest trace of a smile. “You are not most girls, Maeve.”

My heart fluttered, but I didn’t let it show. Instead, I took a slow step forward, then another, until I was within reach.

“Is that a compliment, Alpha?”

His eyes darkened, a flicker of emotion passing through them, heat, warning, and something dangerously close to desire. “It’s an observation.”

I reached for his hand, lightly brushing my fingertips along his knuckles. “Your hands…” I said softly, “…they don’t feel like a man who only observes.”

For a heartbeat, I swore his hand twitched beneath mine. Just enough to make me wonder what it would take to make him grab hold.

He didn’t pull away. But he didn’t lean in either.

“They feel like a man who acts,” I added, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Maeve,” he said, and my name on his lips felt like thunder and silk. “You shouldn’t… tease like that.”

“Why not?” I asked, my fingers lingering on his wrist. “Are you afraid of what might happen if you stopped pretending you don’t want me?”

His gaze locked onto mine then, raw, intense, hungry.

And then.

A knock at the door.

The sound shattered the moment like glass.

We both stiffened as the door creaked open and a young maid entered, her eyes wide when she saw us standing a little too close.

“My lord,” she said quickly, dipping her head. “Pardon the intrusion. Lady Ingrid asked me to bring your tea.”

Kael stepped back immediately, placing a wide gap between us.

My fist clenched at the mention of the name. Of course, it had to be her.

“Set it down,” he said, voice cool and composed again.

The maid placed the tray on the table, her eyes flicking curiously between us. “She asked me to make sure you drank it while it’s still warm.”

“I’ll see to it,” Kael said, his tone curt now. “You may go.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

She left swiftly, closing the door behind her, but the air remained thick.

I turned toward him slowly, the bitter smell of the tea curling in the room between us.

“Lady Ingrid must care very much about your hydration,” I said, unable to help the bite in my tone.

“She’s thorough,” he replied.

I smiled tightly. “So am I.”

His eyes met mine again, and for the first time, I saw something unraveling in him. A thread tugged too tight. A storm behind the calm.

“I think I should go,” I said sweetly, stepping toward the door.

“You’re welcome to stay,” he said, too quickly.

That stopped me.

“I thought I shouldn’t tease,” I replied, turning halfway back.

“I’m a grown man, Maeve,” he said, crossing the room to stand near me once more. “But even grown men… can forget themselves.”

I tilted my head. “Then let me help you remember.”

His breath caught. But he didn’t move. He didn’t stop me, either.

So I left, not looking back, each step echoing with the certainty that next time, he won’t let me walk away.

The hem of my dress whispered across the floor like promise.

Because the fire was lit now.