The water rippled softly as Josselyn stepped back.
Her arms instinctively crossed over her chest, covering her half-submerged body. Her breath caught the moment his figure became clear before her.
Killian stood at the edge of the pool, staring at her without blinking.
"Why are you here?" Josselyn said quickly. But a second later, she pressed her lips shut.
'Idiot. This is Killian's secret place. He can be here anytime. It's you, Josselyn. Why are you…'
Her thoughts were cut off when she saw that Killian was already bare-chested and stepping slowly into the pool.
Those gray-blue eyes continued to study her, as if analyzing something.
"This place is mine. And from now on, it will be our private meeting place," he murmured.
Josselyn frowned. "What do you mean?"
Killian moved closer, calm and unhurried.
Josselyn retreated again until her back nearly touched the wall of the pool.
"Stop right there," she hissed.
Killian stopped. His gaze sharpened.
"So you really don't remember."
Josselyn fell silent. Her mind immediately scrambled to piece together her memories.
"What am I supposed to remember?" she shot back, unease creeping in again at the blankness in her mind. "I should be asking why you suddenly released me and brought me here."
Killian tilted his head slightly, his gaze stripping her bare.
Josselyn's crossed arms crept higher, trying to cover more of herself. But then her fingers brushed over her own skin, still slick.
The memory of waking earlier surfaced, her body sticky, her appearance disheveled for no reason.
Josselyn lowered her gaze, checking again the red marks she had seen on her chest.
"These marks…" She slowly lifted her eyes to Killian.
The man before her smirked.
"Do you remember now?"
Josselyn's breath hitched. "D-did I do something again?"
"You were very… aggressive last night." Killian stepped closer.
Small ripples spread between them. Josselyn froze.
"Don't come any closer."
Killian slowed, but the distance between them continued to shrink.
"Why are you so shocked?" he said, his voice lower now. "I should be the one reacting like that."
Josselyn ran her fingers through her damp hair, her eyes darting in confusion.
"I don't remember…"
"You begged."
Josselyn shook her head quickly. "That's impossible."
"You touched me first."
"Stop saying nonsense. That doesn't make any sense."
"You asked for more," Killian continued, as if ignoring her denial. "And you didn't stop."
"Enough," Josselyn cut in, her breathing growing uneven. "I would never do something like that."
Killian looked at her flatly.
"Want me to help you remember?"
Josselyn clenched her fists beneath the water. "You're lying."
Killian let out a short breath. He did not stop moving.
Panicking, Josselyn reached out and pressed her hand against his chest to stop him.
"If that really happened," her voice softened, "then why don't I remember it?"
Killian stared at her more deeply.
"That's what I want to know."
Silence fell between them. Only the faint movement of water filled the space.
Josselyn lowered her gaze. She realized how clear the water was. At this distance, Killian could see her bare body beneath the surface.
Her hand tensed against his chest.
"I may not remember, but that doesn't mean I'm allowing you to touch me now."
Killian's eyes gleamed, a grin forming on his face. He touched her hand where it rested on his chest, guiding it over his wet skin.
"You touched me here," he said, sliding her hand down to his abdomen.
Even through the faint contact, her palm could feel the firmness of his muscles.
Josselyn reflexively tried to pull her hand back.
But Killian held it firmly, keeping it in place.
"You're incredibly shameless, Josselyn," he said, lifting her hand and pressing it to his cheek. "You touch me as you please, but forbid me from touching you."
Josselyn's jaw tightened. 'What is he even talking about? Does he not remember biting my tongue yesterday? He's always the one who touches me first.'
While she cursed him in her thoughts, Killian suddenly pulled her closer in one swift movement. His large hand locked around her slender waist, leaving her no room to resist.
"What are you doing? Darius is here…"
"He knows when not to look." One hand gripped Josselyn's jaw. "Focus on me."
Josselyn swallowed hard. She clamped her lips shut, unwilling to let that "bleeding kiss" happen again.
Killian's gaze shifted between her hazel-green eyes.
"The Council of Ministers has made a decision."
The sudden change of topic made Josselyn blink, trying to process his words.
"The kingdom has accepted cooperation with Edevan."
Josselyn's eyes widened. Her lips parted uncertainly.
"So…" her sentence trailed off.
"Yes. Because of that," Killian continued, "your position has changed."
Josselyn looked at him, waiting.
"You are released from the cell. But," Killian paused, his gaze turning cold, "not because I trust you."
Josselyn looked away. She knew that, but she could not deny the flicker of hope that had risen in her chest.
"I don't expect you to trust me," she replied.
"Good," Killian said shortly. "Because I don't."
He stepped forward again, leaving no space this time, until Josselyn was fully pinned against the wall of the pool.
"Your claim about Edmund and his debt to Duke Corven, I have not found any proof."
Josselyn gritted her teeth.
"That's not something easy to prove."
"And until I do," Killian continued, "you remain under my supervision."
Josselyn exhaled deeply.
"So I'm still a prisoner."
"Think whatever you want."
That answer made Josselyn give a humorless smile.
Killian did not respond. Instead, he studied her again, longer, sharper.
"And there is one more condition."
Josselyn raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
Killian leaned down slightly, closer to her ear.
Josselyn tried to pull back, but she was trapped.
"What are you doing…" The only thing she could do was tilt her head back, trying to create distance, even though it was impossible.
Killian let out a low chuckle, his breath brushing against her neck.
"If it happens again," he said softly.
Josselyn stiffened.
"If your body becomes like it did last night…"
His hand lifted slowly, gripping the back of her neck, holding her in place.
Josselyn flinched.
"Don't…" her voice weakened, her body tense as she realized she had nowhere to escape.
'Damn it, damn it, damn it,' she cursed inwardly.
But Killian had no intention of letting her go. He deliberately breathed against her ear.
Josselyn's breath stalled for a fraction of a second.
She had been trying to ignore the sensation of their bare skin brushing together. Especially the sensitive peaks of her chest.
And Killian's leg, whether intentional or not, had slipped between her thighs beneath the water, sending a cool, trembling sensation that made her stomach tighten.
Her gaze lowered, turning dazed for a moment.
"Your reaction," Killian whispered, "hasn't completely disappeared."
Josselyn immediately struck his chest hard.
"Let me go!"
Killian did not resist. He released her, but did not step away.
"If it happens again," he continued as if unaffected, "you will come to me."
Josselyn stared at him, confused.
"What?"
"You will not seek anyone else." His gaze hardened. "Not Yorick. Not anyone."
His tone shifted, lower and more dangerous.
"Only me."
Josselyn swallowed. Truthfully, she still did not understand what he meant, but she did not like being threatened.
"And if I refuse?"
Killian lowered his gaze, toward the outline of her body beneath the water.
"Try it," he said, smirking.
Josselyn's face hardened. She could not hide the disgust in her expression.
Yes, she intended to get close to Killian for revenge. But seeing the hunger in his eyes made her body shudder, especially remembering how cruel he had been.
Killian smiled faintly.
"You want to be free?" he continued.
Josselyn did not answer.
"Follow my terms."
Killian pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her eyes again.
"And make sure you don't accept anything from anyone."
He leaned in a little, his voice dropping.
"Because next time, I want to make sure you're conscious when you ask for it."