The morning air was crisp as I stepped outside the dwarven stronghold. The city was alive with its usual bustle—blacksmiths hammering away at steel, merchants shouting about their latest wares, warriors sharpening their blades. But none of it could distract me from *her.*
Eloise.
She had been acting differently since she woke up.
I noticed it the moment her eyes fluttered open yesterday. The way she looked at me—*soft, hesitant, filled with something I wasn't ready to name.*
And today... she was worse.
She tried to act normal, keeping herself busy, pretending that nothing had changed. But I *felt* it. In the way she avoided my gaze too quickly, in the way she lingered when she thought I wasn't paying attention.
She was reckless.
Distracted.
And it was because of *me.*
Damn it.
I had done something dangerous.
I had kissed her.
And instead of regretting it, I wanted to do it again.
I *should* be keeping my distance. I should remind myself that Eloise was more than just a woman—I had taken her from her world, dragged her into mine. She was the *creator* of everything around us. She didn't belong to me.
But every time she looked at me like she had last night, with that tenderness, with that *longing*—I felt like I belonged to *her.*
I let out a slow breath, trying to push away the thoughts gnawing at me.
I watched her from a distance as she trained with one of the dwarven warriors. It was supposed to be a simple practice drill, just basic self-defense, but she was reckless—throwing herself into each move with more force than necessary, making mistakes she normally wouldn't.
It was frustrating to watch.
I leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed as I observed. She was usually quick to adapt, but now she was struggling. She wasn't *focused.*
She stumbled again, barely managing to block an incoming strike, and I clenched my jaw.
That's it.
I pushed off the pillar and strode over.
The dwarf instructor noticed me first and immediately backed away. Eloise turned, surprised, wiping the sweat off her brow.
"Caius?"
"You're distracted," I said flatly.
She stiffened. "No, I'm not."
I raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then show me."
Her lips parted slightly, eyes widening, and I smirked inwardly. I had *her.*
Teasing her was dangerous, but I wanted to push her. I wanted to see if she would break first—or if I would.
I reached for a practice sword and twirled it in my hand before stepping closer, lowering my voice.
"Come at me, Eloise."
She blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. If you're not distracted, then fight me. Prove it."
I could see the panic in her eyes, the way she swallowed hard. She knew she wasn't thinking straight. But her stubbornness—the part of her that had created me—was just as strong.
And she took the bait.
She lunged.
She was fast, but I was faster. I sidestepped easily, catching her wrist mid-swing, and in one swift motion, I twisted her arm behind her back and pulled her flush against me.
Too close.
Way too close.
Her breath hitched. My grip on her tightened.
I could feel *everything.* Her heartbeat pounding against my chest, the way her body stiffened, the slight tremble in her fingers as they brushed against my arm.
My throat went dry.
Damn it.
This was a mistake.
I should let go. I *should* step away before I did something foolish.
But I *couldn't.*
Because a part of me—maybe the part that had always belonged to her—wanted to see how far she would let me go.
Her eyes lifted to mine, and for a moment, we just *stared.*
Her lips parted, and my gaze dipped—just for a second—before I forced myself to look away.
"See?" I murmured, my voice lower than I intended. "Distracted."
She swallowed hard, struggling against my hold. "Let me go."
I did. Immediately. Too fast, maybe, because she stumbled back, eyes burning with something I *shouldn't* be seeing.
I turned away before she could say anything.
"That's enough training for today."
And without another word, I walked away—because if I didn't, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself.
I had kissed her once.
And if I wasn't careful, I'd do it again.
And this time, I wouldn't let go.