Capítulo 4: Chapter 4 - Dangerous Proximity
The silence of the chamber pressed heavy against Eira's ears, broken only by the muffled crackle of a distant hearth. She sat at the edge of the bed, still dressed in the suffocating layers of the crimson gown, the intricate lace biting into her shoulders. Her mind swirled with the memory of Finn—the way he had avoided her gaze when they'd taken him to the hospital, the tremor in his voice as he'd tried to reassure her, even then.
"You don't have to do this, Eira," he had said, his voice hoarse. His face had been pale, far too pale, under the dried blood and bruises.
"I do," she had replied, her voice firm. "You'd do the same for me."
And she believed that. But here, in the cold solitude of her chambers, doubt crept in. Was this truly the right choice? Could she navigate the treacherous world she had willingly stepped into?
Her thoughts fractured as the door creaked open. She sat up sharply, her heart leaping into her throat as Caius stepped inside. His presence was immediate, filling the room with an authority that made the air feel thinner. He didn't wait for an invitation, closing the door behind him with a deliberate click that reverberated through the quiet.
"Couldn't sleep?" His voice was calm, almost detached, but there was an edge beneath it, a sharpness that put her on guard.
Eira's fingers curled into the fabric of her gown. "I didn't expect company."
Caius's golden eyes glinted in the dim light as he strode further into the room, his movements slow and deliberate. "Neither did I, yet here you are." His gaze swept over her, unhurried, assessing. He stopped just a pace away, towering over her seated form. "We need to set expectations, Eira. You are not just my wife now—you are part of this court. Every move you make reflects on me. Remember that."
Eira's stomach twisted, but she refused to let him see her unease. "And what if I don't want to reflect on you?" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended.
Caius tilted his head slightly, his faint smirk both infuriating and unsettling. "If you thought defiance would unsettle me, little lamb, you've chosen the wrong man."
The nickname made her bristle, but she pushed past the prick of annoyance. "If you thought I'd just sit quietly and play the role you've assigned me, you've chosen the wrong woman."
Caius took a step closer, his presence looming, his golden eyes narrowing with interest. "Bold words for someone in your position." His tone was soft, almost lazy, but the weight behind it was anything but.
Eira stood abruptly, forcing herself to face him on her feet even though her pulse raced. "You don't scare me," she lied, her voice defiant. "I didn't come here to be your pawn, Caius. I came here for my brother."
"And you think I should be grateful for your sacrifice?" Caius asked, taking another deliberate step forward. The air between them crackled with tension as he towered over her, his golden gaze locking onto hers. "I could have left you to rot in my dungeon in your brother's place. Instead, I've given you a place here. That is called mercy, little lamb."
"I don't want a place here!" Eira snapped, her voice rising. "I'm not some doll for you to dress up and parade around. If you thought you could control me, you're very wrong."
His smirk disappeared, replaced by a flicker of something darker. He moved closer, the subtle brush of his coat against her skirts making her breath hitch. "Control isn't about what I allow, little lamb. It's about what you can endure."
Her chin tipped up defiantly, even as her chest heaved. "Then you've underestimated me."
Caius leaned in, his voice a low growl. "Have I?"
The air shifted, growing heavier. Caius's expression darkened, and in a movement too fast for her to track, he closed the remaining distance between them. One hand caught her waist, firm and unyielding, while the other braced against the wall beside her head. The suddenness of it stole her breath, and she found herself pinned, his golden eyes burning into hers.
The cold stone of the wall pressed against her back, a stark contrast to the heat radiating from him. The faint scent of cedar and iron filled her senses, making it impossible to ignore how close he was.
Her heart might have been trying to claw its way out of her chest, but she refused to show him even an ounce of fear. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
She glared up at him. "Is this your idea of proving something?" she spat, her voice sharp despite the tremble in her chest.
Caius's gaze darkened. "I don't need to prove anything," he said softly, dangerously. "But you do."
"You stormed in here like a wildfire," he said, his voice low and deadly, his breath brushing against her skin. "Threatening to burn everything in your path. Did you really think I'd let you leave?"
Eira's chest heaved, her heart pounding, but she refused to look away. His presence was overwhelming, his frame casting hers in shadow, but she kept her chin high, her gaze locked on his.
"Maybe you should have," she said, her voice trembling only slightly. "Because if you think I'll let you break me, you're the one who's mistaken."
Caius leaned closer, his lips curving into a slow, predatory smile. "Oh, little lamb," he murmured, his breath brushing against her ear. "Breaking you would be too easy. But taming you? That could be… interesting."
Eira's hands curled into fists at her sides. "Tame me? You're more arrogant than I thought."
His laughter was low, almost amused, but there was no warmth in it. "You should be careful, Eira. That fire in you will only burn as long as I allow it." He leaned back slightly, his eyes scanning her face, taking in every line of defiance.
"Then I'll burn until there's nothing left of me," she shot back, her voice unwavering. "But I will never bow to you."
Caius's gaze lingered on her for a long moment, his smirk fading into something colder, sharper. He pushed back at last, releasing her from his towering presence. "We'll see," he said simply. "Goodnight, Eira," he continued smoothly, his tone once again detached. "Try to get some rest. You'll need it."
Without another word, he turned and walked to the door, leaving her trembling against the wall. Her breath came in short bursts as she watched him leave. Just as his hand reached for the doorknob, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "As I said, every move you make reflects on me, Eira. If you forget that, there will be consequences."
The door closed softly behind him, leaving Eira pressed against the wall, her body trembling. She exhaled shakily, forcing herself to stand tall, her hands still curled into fists.
He might have left the room, but the weight of his presence lingered, pressing against her like an invisible chain. Still, even as fear twisted in her chest, her resolve burned hotter.
Let him try to tame her. Let him try to break her.
No matter how close he came, she would endure.
For Finn, and for herself.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
JadedButCute
JadedButCute Wow, Eira and Caius in a room together is like lighting a match near a powder keg—so much tension, so many sharp edges. Caius just oozes control and dominance, but Eira’s fire is impossible to ignore. Honestly, I’m living for these two clashing like this.
What do you think about their dynamic? Is Eira holding her ground, or is Caius starting to unravel her resolve bit by bit? I’d love to hear your thoughts as we dive deeper into this very complicated bond. Things are heating up, and let’s just say… it’s only the beginning.
As always, your support means the world to me!
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