2

The silence stretched like a blade.

Elian stood there, still catching his breath, his lips tingling from the kiss he probably shouldn't have dared. Kael hadn't pushed him away. But he hadn't kissed him back either. He just stood there, towering in that black uniform, gaze cool and unreadable—like he was weighing Elian against something far more dangerous than family expectations.

Merea finally found her voice. “Elian, what the hell are you doing?”

“I told you I’d fix it,” Elian replied, not turning to her. His eyes stayed locked with Kael’s. “You and Jay deserve to be together. You shouldn’t have to marry someone you don’t love.”

“And you think offering yourself like some sacrificial lamb is fixing it?” she snapped.

“I’m not a lamb,” Elian said quietly. “And I’m not doing it just for you.”

Kael’s brow rose slightly. “Oh?”

Elian hesitated.

Shit. He hadn’t meant to say that. Not out loud. But now it was there—hovering between them like smoke, too late to pull back in.

Kael stepped forward.

Elian didn’t back away.

“You kissed me,” Kael said flatly.

“I did.”

“You locked the door.”

“That too.”

Kael studied him. Not with anger. Not even disapproval. With something worse.

Interest.

“You planned this?”

“Not the kiss,” Elian admitted, voice softer. “That was impulsive.”

Merea looked like she was about to faint. “This is insane. I’m leaving.”

She moved to the door, but Kael didn’t move. His arm shot out, gloved fingers reaching past Elian to unlock it with a precise twist. He didn’t look at her. His eyes stayed on Elian.

“You’re dismissed, Miss Voss,” he said, voice cool but polite.

Merea’s eyes darted between the two of them.

“Elian…”

“I’ve got this,” Elian murmured, without looking at her.

She hesitated for a beat, then slipped out. The door clicked shut behind her.

Now it was just them.

Elian Voss and General Kael Thorne.

Alone.

And Elian was acutely aware of the heat radiating from the man’s body. The way his jaw flexed when he was thinking. The faint scent of something sharp and clean—like leather and steel and danger.

“So,” Elian said, trying to sound casual even though his whole spine was buzzing, “still want to marry into the family?”

Kael’s lips quirked, just barely. The faintest ghost of a smirk.

“You offer yourself like a bargain,” Kael said. “But what’s the value?”

Elian flushed. “I’m not currency.”

“Then what are you?”

Elian lifted his chin. “I’m your only way out of marrying someone who’ll never love you.”

Kael’s gaze sharpened. “And what makes you think I care about being loved?”

Elian faltered.

“…Do you?”

Kael didn’t answer.

He just stepped forward again—closer now. Close enough that Elian could feel the difference in height, in size. The air thickened between them.

“I don’t like being manipulated,” Kael said softly. “Even by someone clever.”

“I’m not trying to manipulate you,” Elian replied, voice steady despite the pounding in his chest. “I’m giving you a choice. You don’t want my sister. She doesn’t want you. So take me. I can play the role. I’ll be a perfect little husband, smile at parties, wear whatever uniform you want me to wear—”

Kael’s hand shot out and gripped his chin.

Not hard. But firm.

Elian froze.

Kael leaned in, breath warm against his cheek. “You think this is a game?”

Elian swallowed. “No.”

Kael’s eyes burned. “Then don’t offer yourself like it is.”

The moment crackled.

Then Kael let go.

Stepped back.

Straightened his coat.

And said, “Fine.”

Elian blinked. “Wait… what?”

Kael turned toward the door. “I’ll speak with your parents in the morning. The engagement is changing.”

“You’re serious?”

Kael paused. Glanced over his shoulder. “I’m a general. I don’t bluff.”

---

The next morning, chaos.

His parents screamed. His mother cried. His father shouted words like disgrace and humiliation, but Kael stood silent through it all. Calm. Dominant. The kind of man who’d faced down bullets and didn’t flinch at disapproving in-laws.

When Kael said, “Your son offered himself. I accepted. I’ll marry Elian by week’s end or not at all,” they had no choice but to relent. Pride overruled logic. They didn’t want to lose face—especially not in front of a powerful military man.

So the deal was struck.

Merea and Jay fled to another city the same night. Elian kept their secret like a vault.

And Kael?

Kael stayed.

---

Three days later, Kael showed up at Elian’s university.

He didn’t call. He didn’t text. Just arrived at the gate in full uniform, parked a matte black military SUV outside, and leaned against it with arms crossed, sunglasses on, like a bodyguard sent to collect what was his.

Students whispered.

Girls (and a few boys) openly stared.

Elian came out of lecture, spotted the man across the quad, and stopped cold.

Kael removed his glasses. Those dark eyes fixed on him like a missile lock.

“You’re early,” Elian said when he reached him.

“You’re mine,” Kael replied simply.

Elian’s breath caught.

Kael opened the passenger door. “Get in.”

Elian did.

Because somewhere along the way… this wasn’t just about saving his sister anymore.

And the worst part?

He wasn’t even scared.