Chapter 2

Seraphina's POV

Fear from last night clung to me. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Caspian's deep, dangerous gaze staring back at me.

In the end, he didn't do anything to me. He simply returned to the room after leaving me wound tight with dread and calmly lay down on the other side of the bed. But the threat hanging in the air choked me worse than any blow.

A gentle knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Miss Cross, Mr. Blackwood is waiting for you downstairs for breakfast," an elderly butler's voice called from outside.

I took a deep breath and smoothed my dress. Starting today, I had to play the role of a voiceless bride perfectly. No speaking, no showing any cracks in my facade, and above all, never forgetting that I was now supposed to be Cordelia.

In daylight, the Blackwood estate showed its true scale. Caspian led me down endless corridors, noticing shadowy figures slipping around corners—his "security detail," as he called them. Crystal chandeliers caught the morning light, but I knew that behind all this beautiful decor lurked countless watchful eyes.

"Every room here has surveillance," Caspian remarked beside me, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "The gardens are patrolled twenty-four hours a day, and the safe in my study is connected to an alarm system."

I nodded, trying to display a bride's curiosity about her new home rather than the fear churning inside me.

He stopped before a gold-trimmed door and turned to face me. That perfect face broke into a meaningful smile.

"It's very safe here, Cordelia." His hand gently caressed my chin, the gesture tender yet sending chills down my spine. "But also very dangerous, depending on whether you're a friend... or an enemy."

My heart skipped a beat. What did he mean by that? Was he testing me somehow?

The dining room's luxury temporarily distracted me from my unease.

Fine china and silver gleamed on the long table, breakfast spread that smelled incredible. Caspian pulled out my chair for me, and beneath his gentlemanly gesture, I felt like prey walking into a trap.

"Darling, you must be hungry," he said, taking his seat across from me and beginning to fill my plate.

Everything seemed normal until I saw him use tongs to add several slices of onion.

I've hated the taste of onions since childhood. But now I couldn't speak, couldn't refuse—I could only watch helplessly as he placed the food before me.

"I specifically selected the freshest vegetables," Caspian said, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Try some?"

I nodded stiffly and picked up my fork. The taste of onion immediately filled my mouth, my stomach turned. The words 'I hate onions' almost slipped out, but I bit them back and made a few "mmm" sounds to cover it up.

Caspian set down his utensils and rested his chin on his hand, watching me. His smile made my blood run cold.

"You seem like you want to tell me something?"

I shook my head desperately, while mentally warning myself to be more careful. He was testing me, trying to make me reveal myself.

"No need to be nervous," he said, his tone gentle but with an edge that made me shiver. "We have plenty of time to get to know each other."

After breakfast, he took me to his study. More books lined these walls than I'd ever seen in one place, but I was in no mood to appreciate it. Caspian pulled paper and pen from a drawer and pushed them toward me.

"Since you can't speak, we can communicate this way," he said, drumming his fingers on the desk. "Tell me, are you satisfied with your new home?"

This was both an opportunity and a trap. I knew he would analyze every word carefully, looking for clues. I wrote with extreme caution:

[It's beautiful here. Thank you for taking care of me. You work so hard—I hope you're getting enough rest.]

Caspian read the note, the corner of his mouth curving into a dangerous arc.

"Concerned about my physical condition?" His voice was deep and magnetic, loaded with meaning. "My wife is quite thoughtful."

Heat flooded my cheeks as I realized how that sounded, I quickly wrote:

[I just hope you'll take it easy sometimes. Health is the most important thing, after all.]

The moment I finished writing, I knew I'd made a terrible mistake.

Caspian suddenly stood and moved behind me. His hands rested on my shoulders, not pressing hard but firmly enough to prevent me from moving.

"Take it easy?" His breath tickled my ear, his voice filled with dangerous pleasure. "It seems I need to prove my stamina to you."

My heart pounded as if trying to escape my chest. His other hand lightly stroked my neck, terrifying and thrilling at once.

"Tonight," he whispered in my ear, "I'll show you what it means to not take it easy."

When night fell, I sat at the vanity in the master bedroom, the brush repeatedly slipping from my trembling hands. The mirror reflected a pale face with eyes full of fear.

Caspian entered, wearing dark sleepwear that made him look even more dangerous and alluring in the warm yellow light.

"Scared?" He approached, tilting my chin up with his finger.

I wanted to shake my head, but my body betrayed me. I was trembling, and he could see it clearly.

"Honesty is a good quality," he said, his thumb gently caressing my lips with a touch as light as a feather, yet more dangerous than anything I'd ever felt. "But do you know what's even better?"

He didn't wait for my response before leaning down, so close I could see every fine line in his eyes.

"Obedience."

That word pierced my heart like an ice dagger. I tried to back away, but the chair blocked my retreat. His arm encircled my waist, effortlessly lifting me and placing me on the bed.

"You should open your eyes and look at me," his voice soft as silk, deadly as poison. "Don't try to escape, Cordelia."

Forced to meet his gaze, I found something that made my pulse skip and my skin crawl. His kiss landed on the side of my neck, the warm sensation nearly making me lose control. I bit my lip hard, struggling not to make any sound, but I nearly gasped.

Just when I thought I would completely surrender, he suddenly stopped.

"That's enough for tonight," he said, straightening up and adjusting his robe. "I don't like things that come too easily."

I lay on the bed, my heart thundering, unsure whether I felt relief or some strange disappointment.

The next morning, I ran into Marcus the butler in the hallway. The sixty-something butler had always been polite, but today his expression seemed unusual.

"Madam," he said in a lowered voice, "yesterday's chef suddenly quit."

I looked at him questioningly.

Marcus glanced around to ensure we were alone before continuing: "She said the rules of the estate were too strict for her." He paused, giving me a meaningful look. "Madam, the rules here are indeed very strict."

A chill ran down my spine. What could scare someone enough to run without their pay?

Marcus seemed about to say more, but footsteps echoed from down the hallway. He immediately fell silent, resuming his professional demeanor.

"Madam, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know."

Watching his retreating figure, I realized this seemingly magnificent estate concealed far more secrets than I had imagined. And I was already trapped within, with no way out.

That night, lying beside Caspian, listening to his steady breathing, moonlight filtered through the curtains and fell across his perfect face, making him look like something from a dream.

I knew this was only the beginning. I would need to be even more careful to survive in this place filled with traps.

What I didn't anticipate was that the greatest danger wouldn't come from his cruelty, but from something beginning to take root deep in my heart.

A feeling more deadly than any threat.

A feeling I couldn't afford to have.