The dungeon was not what Elara expected.
There were no rusty chains.
No rats.
No mold-covered walls.
Instead, she found herself standing inside a luxurious suite larger than some houses.
A massive bed sat in the center of the room.
A fireplace crackled softly.
Fresh flowers decorated a table by the window.
Elara blinked.
Then blinked again.
"This is a dungeon?"
The guard beside her coughed awkwardly.
"It was."
"What does that mean?"
The guard looked away.
"It became... different after His Majesty ordered it renovated."
Elara narrowed her eyes.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
The door suddenly slammed shut behind her.
A click echoed.
Locked.
Wonderful.
She paced around the room.
Her mind replayed everything that had happened.
The king's thoughts.
The word mate.
The obsession.
The lies.
Nothing made sense.
The novel never mentioned any of this.
In the original story, Kael barely noticed Lyra before her death.
Yet the man she met tonight sounded like someone who had crossed continents searching for her.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door opened.
Servants entered carrying trays.
Steaming food.
Fruit.
Desserts.
Tea.
Enough food for ten people.
Elara stared.
The servants placed everything on the table.
Then left without saying a word.
A minute later, the door opened again.
Another servant entered.
This time carrying blankets.
And pillows.
And more blankets.
"Why are there so many?"
The servant hesitated.
"His Majesty's orders."
Of course.
The servant quickly left.
Elara sat on the bed.
Something felt wrong.
Or rather...
Everything felt wrong.
A king who supposedly hated her had given her a luxury room.
Fed her.
Protected her.
And according to his thoughts, spent years searching for her.
A headache began forming.
The door opened once more.
Heavy footsteps entered.
Elara immediately recognized them.
Kael.
The servants who accompanied him instantly retreated.
The room fell silent.
The Hybrid King stood before her.
His expression was as cold as ever.
"I trust the accommodations are acceptable."
Elara crossed her arms.
"Are all prisoners treated this well?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"Do not mistake comfort for importance."
Liar.
The thought appeared in her mind before she could stop it.
At the exact same moment, she heard his voice.
Not from his mouth.
From his thoughts.
She's angry.
Good.
Anger means she's healthy.
Elara nearly choked.
Kael continued speaking.
"You should be grateful."
She looks prettier when she's annoyed.
Elara stared.
What?
"What are you looking at?" Kael asked coldly.
Don't look at me like that.
I'm trying very hard not to carry you back to my room.
Elara's eyes widened.
Kael froze.
For a split second.
As if realizing something.
His golden gaze sharpened.
"What did you hear?"
The question sent a chill down her spine.
Hear?
Could he tell?
"No idea what you're talking about."
Silence.
Kael stepped closer.
Dangerously close.
His scent surrounded her.
Rain.
Smoke.
Something wild.
His eyes locked onto hers.
Searching.
Testing.
Then his thoughts slipped through again.
Can she hear me?
No.
Impossible.
Only mates with ancient bloodlines can do that.
Ancient bloodlines?
Elara swallowed.
The novel definitely never mentioned that.
Kael suddenly stepped back.
His mask returned.
Good.
Because another second of hearing his thoughts might have driven her insane.
"I have more important matters to attend to."
I've canceled six meetings just to see you.
Elara almost laughed.
The hypocrisy was unbelievable.
Kael moved toward the door.
Then stopped.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"Stay inside."
His thoughts followed immediately.
Please stay safe.
Please don't leave where I can't protect you.
Something softened inside Elara.
Only slightly.
Then Kael ruined it.
"If you attempt to escape, I will personally drag you back."
The door slammed behind him.
A moment later, his thoughts echoed faintly through the bond.
That wasn't too harsh, was it?
Gods, I'm terrible at this.
Elara stared at the closed door.
Then burst out laughing.
The terrifying Hybrid King.
The ruler feared across three kingdoms.
The man everyone called a monster.
Was secretly panicking because he didn't know how to talk to his mate.
And somehow...
That was far more dangerous.
Because for the first time since arriving in this world...
Elara found herself curious about him.
Very curious.
To be continued...
Author words 😅
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