"I won't let you face that 'effect' alone."
Killian's voice fell softly, yet it was enough to make Josselyn's breath catch. As if the air in the room had suddenly grown too dense to inhale.
Arrogant. Firm. Authoritative.
And Josselyn's body betrayed her instantly.
She drew in a long breath.
"No…" her voice was almost a whisper. "It's happening again."
Killian did not move right away.
His gaze lowered, watching Josselyn's uneven breathing, rising and falling too quickly. Her skin flushed, no longer from the cold.
"The effect hasn't ended," he said at last.
Josselyn turned her face away. "That's none of your concern."
"You're trembling."
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
His tone did not rise, yet that only made it feel more pressing.
Josselyn bit her lip. She tried to steady herself, drawing in a deep breath. It only made things worse. The air felt too warm in her lungs.
"I can handle it myself."
Killian studied her for a few seconds longer. Then his eyes narrowed.
"Like earlier? With Howarth's help?"
The question made Josselyn's breath hitch.
"He just happened to be there… nothing happened."
Killian's jaw tightened. His gaze dropped, no longer simply observing, but assessing. As if he were holding something back.
"At first I thought your condition was an effect of the Mandrake mixture. But…" Killian's eyes traced her from head to toe. "I'm starting to think you're pretending."
Josselyn's hands clenched, trembling slightly.
"If you don't believe me, you can leave."
Killian slammed his hand against the wall behind her, trapping her between his body and the wall. His breath burned with restrained anger.
"I didn't say I don't believe you," Killian pressed. "But give me proof."
Josselyn held his gaze, refusing to yield to his dominance.
"I don't have to prove anything to you, Your Highness. Why would I? You're not—"
"What I've touched is mine, Josselyn," Killian hissed, his face only inches from hers.
Once again, Josselyn's body reacted instead. His masculine voice ignited a wild sensation she could not suppress.
Without realizing it, she lifted her hand, brushing the strands of hair clinging to her neck aside. Then she tilted her head, exposing her slender throat, almost brushing the tip of Killian's nose.
"Damn…" Killian muttered.
He watched the movement without blinking.
"You're doing it again."
"Mm…" Josselyn only hummed. Her hand paused briefly against Killian's chest, tracing slow circles over the fabric before sliding lower. She pressed her palm there, feeling the firmness of his muscles.
"Killian…" she whispered softly. "If you don't claim it, it isn't yours."
"You're the one who forgot, Josselyn," Killian's voice dropped. His nose brushed her neck, inhaling her scent.
"Because you weren't firm enough in showing it." Josselyn clenched her jaw, wanting to stop herself, but the desire inside her was stronger.
Killian pulled his face away from her neck and looked into her hazel-green eyes.
"Are you challenging me?"
Josselyn let out a soft laugh, then bit her lower lip in a slow, sensual motion.
"Make me remember it tomorrow. Break this 'curse,'" she whispered.
She had not completely lost control when she said it. In truth, she was curious whether Killian could truly overcome the effect.
Killian did not answer immediately. His gaze dropped to her lips, then lifted again to her eyes.
"You're really not afraid of me, are you…"
His voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
Then his hand moved, gripping her jaw.
"Are you sure you won't regret remembering it tomorrow?" he asked, hunger flickering in his eyes.
"If I remember, we'll celebrate it."
Josselyn's words shattered what little restraint Killian had left.
~
Josselyn's vision blurred. The ceiling above her seemed to sway, like an earthquake, not one that brought panic, but waves that broke her awareness apart piece by piece.
Her back arched as Killian drove into her with force. Pain and wet heat mixed, carried by movements that gave her no time to think.
She had lost count of how many times she had reached the edge. Killian still did not let her go.
Sweat dripped from Killian's face as he groaned above her.
"You feel incredible, Josselyn."
His grip on the backs of her thighs made it easier for him to push deeper.
"Killian… I'm close…" Josselyn gasped between clashing breaths. Her hands searched for something to hold onto, until they could only clutch the disheveled sheets.
Then suddenly, Killian pulled away.
"Killian… don't stop—"
He dragged her body toward the edge of the bed, striking her sharply.
"Turn over."
Josselyn let out a strained sound, but obeyed.
Killian lifted one of her legs and held it. Then he joined her again. His movements slowed.
Too slow, and it became torture.
"You still want to remember this?" he whispered, barely leaving space between breaths.
Then without warning, he thrust deeper again. His hand gripped her neck as her awareness began to slip.
"Stop… I'm going to…" Josselyn's hand reached out in panic, pressing against his abdomen.
But Killian ignored it. He moved as he pleased, sometimes slow, then suddenly forceful.
"Killian…."
His name came out with a long moan. Her body tensed, her nails digging into his skin without thought.
But that did not stop him.
"You're the one who wanted to remember," Killian growled.
A sudden knock echoed against the door, loud and abrupt.
"Your Highness."
Killian froze.
Josselyn, meanwhile, still trembled, her body not yet settled. Her eyes turned toward the closed door.
Killian lifted his head slightly, his breathing still uneven.
"What?"
"Apologies for the interruption," Darius' voice came from outside.
Killian stayed silent, waiting. But Darius did not continue.
Killian clicked his tongue in irritation. He withdrew, then struck her lightly.
Josselyn flinched softly. Even that small motion sent another tremor through her body.
"What is it?" Killian asked as he opened the door. His body was already covered in a luxurious night robe. He ran his fingers through his damp hair.
From the edge of the bed, Josselyn quickly pulled the blanket over her naked body. When she glanced toward the door, she caught the flicker of surprise on Darius' face. His shoulders stiffened. His gaze lifted briefly, then lingered a second too long, as if he had seen something he should not have.
He quickly lowered his eyes.
"There is only one room left, Your Highness. I've already placed all your belongings there. I will sleep in the sitting room," Darius said.
Killian glanced at Josselyn for a brief moment, then looked back at Darius.
"I'll be sleeping here tonight."
"But…" Darius slowly lifted his head. His eyes scanned the room, then met Josselyn's.
Josselyn pulled the blanket higher, covering even her face.
"Your Highness, if you remain here… and someone sees…"
Killian did not wait for him to finish.
"This is an emergency." His tone was cold and firm. "I am carrying out an important duty. Consider this a battlefield."
Darius said nothing. He simply nodded, then turned and left, walking away from the Crown Prince and his 'secret.'
Killian shut the door tightly. The sound of the lock echoed clearly.
Click.
Josselyn swallowed hard. That night, there was nothing she feared more than the look in Killian's eyes when he turned back to her.
'Damn. This is going to be a very long night.'
~
Morning came slowly. Pale light slipped through the gaps in the window, falling across the disheveled sheets.
Josselyn opened her eyes.
The first thing she felt was warmth, unnatural warmth.
She frowned slightly and tried to move.
She couldn't. Something held her in place.
Slowly, she turned her head.
And froze.
"Killian."
The man lay beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her close. No distance. No barrier.
His breathing was steady. Calm. As if nothing had happened the night before.
"Gods…" Josselyn whispered.
Her hand rose to cover her face.
"What did I do this time…"
She stared at the ceiling. Her thoughts spun, trying to rewind time. But again, she found nothing that could explain this situation.
"Is this a blessing… or a curse…" she muttered.
The words hung in the air. No answer came.
Josselyn turned her head again.
Killian's face looked different in sleep. The sharp line of his jaw softened. There was no intensity in his eyes. Only calm. Like a sleeping lion.
"Maybe both at once," Josselyn murmured bitterly. Her hand reached out, brushing his cheek. Pressing lightly, then pinching it gently.
He did not move.
Josselyn's gaze shifted. A thought crossed her mind, darkening her eyes.
"If this binds him more tightly… then it's useful."
She swallowed.
"Then I've already gotten what I wanted."
A faint smile curved her lips.
"And my revenge will be easier."
Carefully, she slipped out of his embrace.