"You can't protect me from everything," I replied.
"Watch me."
He leaned forward again, but this time placed a soft kiss on my forehead, the gesture almost reverent. When he pulled back, his eyes were serious.
"I need you to understand something, Selene. This marriage isn't just about business or bloodlines for me. I have specificreasons for choosing you that go beyond what you might think I won't pretend I'm a good man—I'm not—I will never physically harm you."
I searched his face for any sign of deception but found none. "I don’t understand why you want to marry me. There are dozens of eligible women in the Dominion. Why choose the daughter of someone you clearly despise?"
"Because you're exactly what I need and who I want.”
That still wasn’t an answer, but I didn’t press. The moment between us was passing by.
"I won't allow you to return to that house,” he suddenly stated casually.
Something fluttered beneath my ribs. "Excuse me?"
"You'll collect your belongings first thing tomorrow with protection. Santos will accompany you."
“Who is Santos?”
“He’s your personal Warden,” he answered.
Right, the security detail. I shook my head. "My father would never permit me to leave."
“Selene, I’m going to show you how powerless that man is when it comes to this.” His expression gentled, but the steel remained in his eyes. "This isn't negotiable. I won't send you back to him.Ourhouse has dozens of rooms sitting empty. Pick any one you like until we're married.”
He retrieved his phone from his pocket and dialed without looking. When he spoke in Greek. The native syllables rolled off his tongue with natural ease. I caught every word. The moment he ended the call; he tucked his phone away. "He's coming."
Minutes later, footsteps approached, unhurried, the walk of someone who knew exactly where he stood in the world. He materialized from the garden shadows like a sentinel. Broad-shouldered and imposing, his dark slacks and crisp shirt strained slightly against the muscle they contained. Bronze skinweathered by years of vigilance. Silver hair cropped military-short at the sides. Eyes deep brown and unreadable, holding stories they would never tell.
I recognized him instantly from a Dominion gathering years ago where he'd stood beside Alaric’s father—a human fortress, expression carved from stone. Even then, he'd carried himself with the quiet authority of a man who had survived enough to fear very little.
He halted at a respectful distance, hands behind his back. "Sir," he acknowledged Alaric, his voice like tires on gravel, before his gaze shifted to me with a slight nod. "Miss."
Alaric stood, the motion smooth but absolute. “There’s been a slight change of plans. You’ll be accompanying Selene back to her family’s residence tomorrow morning. She’ll collect her personal belongings and return here under your supervision. No one touches her. No one interferes.”
Santos nodded once. “Understood.”
“Her father—.”
“I’ll handle her father,” Santos interrupted gently, his gaze resting on me for only a second before returning to Alaric. “He won’t be a problem.”
Something unspoken passed between them. Respect, trust, something older than obedience. Alaric’s tone softened a fraction. “She’s under my protection now. She doesn’t set foot in that house again without you present.”
Santos nodded again, a soldier’s reply. “Yes, sir.”
He looked at me again, and for the first time there was a hint of warmth beneath the formality. “I’ll see to it you’re settled safely.”
Alaric stroked my hand again. “You’ll be fine with him. He’s been with my family since I was a boy. You’ll find no one more loyal. He will remain with you until I get back.”
"Get back from where?" I asked carefully, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it confirmed.
His eyes met mine. "I'm going to pay your father a visit."
"You don't need to do that," I objected, rising from the bench. "Whatever you're thinking—."
"I'm thinking," he interrupted, stepping closer until I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact, "that your father needs to understand exactly who he's dealing with now because words aren’t doing the trick."
