Page 41 of Blood Marked

And Kael hadn’t said a damn word.

Selene stood too fast. The cloak slid from her shoulders.

She moved to the writing desk in the far corner, dragging her fingers through the notes scattered across it. Transcripts from her studies. Symbols from the Stone of Binding. Half-finished letters to herself she hadn’t had the courage to send.

And now this.

Now this goddamn reminder of the world she’d left behind. The one that had used her as a symbol and now wanted her back—as a weapon.

Her father wanted her to manipulate Kael. To exploit the crack between his honor and his instincts. To run.

And the worst part?

A small, traitorous voice in her chestagreed with him. Because if Kael really cared, why hadn’t he warned her? Why hadn’t he told her what the ceremony would mean? Why had hekissedher like she mattered and then turned her into an obligation?

She thought of the way his hands had trembled when they touched her. The way he whispered her name like it was a confession.

And then how quickly he left. Like he couldn’t bear what he’d done.

What if that kiss wasn’t about her at all?

What if it was about the bond? The prophecy? The fucking ceremony that would tie her to this mountain until her bones turned to dust?

Selene pressed a palm to her mouth and took a shaking breath. She wanted to hate him, but she couldn’t. She understood too well and too little all at once.

When the knock came, her pulse jumped.

For a second, she imagined him. His broad frame filling the doorway. His eyes dark with some realization that made it all better.

But it wasn’t Kael.

It was one of the guards he’d assigned to her after the attack. A broad-shouldered woman with pale scars across her cheeks and a look that said she’d rather be hunting than delivering messages.

“Lady Morwen,” the guard said, bowing slightly. “You’ve been summoned to the ceremonial fitting. The High Priestess will oversee your attire for the rite.”

Selene stared.

So it was true.

It was happening.

Kael hadn’t told her because he didn’thaveto because it was already in motion. Because her body and her blood and her bond had been claimed the moment the Mark burned into her skin—and she hadn’t even known it.

She nodded once. Silent.

The guard left.

Selene sat back down, numb.

She traced the folded letter on the table’s edge, then there it into the flame of the candle burning on her desk.

She didn’t know what she was going to do yet.

But she was done waiting.

And if Kael thought he could carry this like a war he had to fight alone…

He was about to learn that fire didn’t burn out when ignored.

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