The Tyrant’s Warrior Bride

Seraphina lay awake in the grand, unfamiliar bed, staring at the canopy above. The silk sheets beneath her were impossibly soft, the kind of luxury that should soothe one into sleep. But to her, it felt suffocating, like a trap spun around her, tangling her in the destiny that was chosen by her father.

Kael was in the adjoining chamber. Too close.

She could still hear his movements, quiet but deliberate. Removing his armor, preparing for the night as if this were just another ordinary evening.

As if he hadn't just torn her life apart.

Her nails dug into the fabric of her night garment.

Her body ached—not from any battle wound but from the exhaustion of the day. The forced wedding. The unpleasurable kiss. The suffocating cheers. The endless stares and gasps from the noblemen and guests.

She turned onto her side, glaring at the golden embroidery on the pillow. Draeven's colors.

This was supposed to be her first night as Kael Draeven's wife.

She wanted to burn everything to the ground.

Hours passed, but sleep never came for Seraphina, her heart was heavy.

She couldn't stand it anymore. The walls of the chamber felt like they were closing in on her, the intoxicating scent of kael filled the room, he smelled like sandalwood mixed with a hint of cinnamon

She was choking and needed out.

Slowly, she slipped out of bed, her bare feet pressing against the cool marble. She glided toward the heavy metal door with careful steps.

Locked?

Of course.

Her teeth clenched as she turned toward the windows instead. The wind was strong tonight, carrying the scent of rain from the gardens below.

A drop from here would be fatal.

But she had climbed out of harder places before so this was nothing to her.

She pressed her hand to the frame, testing it. It opened with a quiet creak, the cold night air rushed in sharp, hitting against her skin causing her to shiver.

Seraphina exhaled.

She was about to swing a leg over the windows when—

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Her blood turned to ice.

She spun around, her heart wobbling to her throat.

Kael stood in the doorway between their chambers, dressed in nothing but a loose tunic and dark trousers. His presence filled the room, his posture relaxed—too relaxed.

But his eyes?

Sharp, Desiring, and Knowing.

Seraphina's pulse pounded rapidly. She wasn't sure if it was fear or anger, but she refused to back down. "Move."

Kael arched a brow, slowly striding forward. "And let my wife shatter every bone in her body on the palace grounds?"

"I'd rather break every bone than be dragged to Draeven."

His gaze darkened.

"Then I'll carry you there in pieces."

Her breath ceased. He wasn't bluffing.

She saw it in his stance, in the unshaken aura in his voice.

He would never let her leave.

The truth struck her harder than she wanted to admit.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her nails biting into her palms. "I am not your prisoner." she blurted.

Kael tilted his head. "Aren't you?"

The question hung between them like a sharpened blade.

Her throat tightened.

He wasn't mocking her. He wasn't cruel.

He was merely stating fact, she was given to him in exchange for peace and power so yes, she was his prisoner.

Kael sighed, dragging a hand through his hair before stepping closer. Too close.

"Come away from the window, Seraphina." His voice was lower now, almost charming. "Before you force me to do something neither of us will enjoy."

She hated the way his presence commanded the space around him, he held such a great aura that disgusted her even more.

She hated that her body was betraying her, a cold shiver trailing down her spine at the quiet authority in his words.

But she would not surrender.

She forced herself to hold his gaze. "I will never stop trying to escape."

Kael exhaled through his nose, but there was something almost approving in his expression.

"Good."

Seraphina blinked. "What?"

Kael leaned against the window frame, crossing his arms. "I'd be disappointed if you gave up so easily."

Her lips parted, a thousand insults on her tongue, but nothing came out.

Was he… amused?

Her frustration ignited.

"You think this is a game?"

Kael's smirk faded, replaced with something unreadable. "No, Princess. This is war."

Her breath hitched.

The way he said it was calm, dangerous, and certain like he had already accepted their battle made her chest tighten.

She had spent her entire life fighting. But Kael was not like the enemies she had faced before.

He did not need swords or armies to win.

He fought with patience. With silence.

And for the first time, Seraphina wasn't sure if she was prepared for this kind of war.

A long silence stretched between them.

Then, Kael pushed off the wall and turned away.

"Get some rest," he said as he walked toward the door leading back to his chambers.

Seraphina clenched her fists. "What, no chains? No guards at the door?"

Kael paused at the threshold, his fingers grazing the wooden frame.

Then, without looking back, he said—

"You don't need chains, Princess. You'll realize soon enough that there's nowhere left to run."

The door closed softly behind him, leaving her standing in the cold room.

Seraphina's nails dug into her palms.

She wanted to prove that she could do whatever she pleased but deep down, she feared that he might be right, there might be nowhere for her to run and this made her devastated.