Chapter 192: Not your place

A silent stretch passed between them before Yuki finally pulled her hand from Killian’s palm. The loss of his warmth should not have been noticeable, yet somehow it was. She curled her fingers into her palm and cleared her throat, suddenly unsure whether she should thank him or simply walk away. A slow, sarcastic smile curled across her lips as she lifted her gaze to him.

"So this is about protecting the Ravencourt name?" she asked, her voice laced with mock sincerity. "You’re truly thoughtful, I must say. Although, to me, it sounds more like you’re advising a gold digger to choose her target more carefully."

Killian’s hand curled into a tight fist at his side. The muscles along his jaw flexed as his eyes narrowed.

"That’s not what I meant," he hissed, his voice low and restrained.

Yuki scoffed and stepped towards him, refusing to be intimidated by the coldness in his gaze. She lifted her chin and met his eyes head-on.

"Then what did you mean, Killian?" she demanded. "Following me in here and healing my injuries. That was really thoughtful of you, but you shouldn’t have come yourself."

Killian’s lips parted, but no words came.

"You could have sent a servant," Yuki continued, folding her arms. "Or asked one of the maids to bring the ointment."

His throat moved as he swallowed. The words seemed to have lodged somewhere behind his teeth, leaving him staring at her in silence. Yuki’s smile sharpened.

"What happened? Something got your tongue?" she asked, her voice dropping into a pointed whisper. "Or you simply don’t want anyone knowing you actually care about the mate you rejected, so you had to handle it yourself like some dirty little secret?"

Her words struck harder than she expected. Killian’s expression tightened, and for several seconds, he genuinely had nothing to say. His gaze remained fixed on hers, but the usual confidence behind his sapphire eyes had flickered.

"That’s not it," he finally said.

Yuki couldn’t help it. A soft laugh slipped from her lips.

"Then what is it?" she asked, tilting her head.

Killian’s fist tightened again.

"Stop throwing my own words at me," he warned, his voice rougher now. "Since you decided to carry the Ravencourt name, you have to bear the responsibilities that come with it. I’m not making decisions for you. I’m simply hoping you don’t do something you’ll regret." He paused, his eyes hardening. "After all, you’re the one who asked for the rejection. Not me."

A slow smile returned to Yuki’s lips, but there was nothing amused about it now. "So we’re pointing fingers?"

Killian’s brow lifted.

"If I hadn’t asked for the rejection, would you have done it?" she challenged. "Or would we all have been stuck in some twisted bond where none of you could reject me, yet none of you wanted to accept me either?"

Something flickered in Killian’s eyes. Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth lifted.

"You certainly know how to make yourself look like the victim," he said with a quiet snicker. "The poor mate rejected by her fated mates."

Yuki’s smile vanished.

"I don’t have the energy for word games, Yuki," Killian continued, his voice settling back into its usual cool drawl. "Do what you want. Marry whoever you want. But don’t blame us for the consequences later. You were the one who supported Aevia. You were the one who came to Ravencourt. No one forced you."

"Yes," Yuki replied solemnly. She straightened her shoulders, refusing to let the sting behind his words show. "No one did." Her gaze held his. "I make my own decisions, Killian. So you can keep your advice and your concern to yourself. I will get married. You don’t have to worry about me. I won’t become a threat to you or your precious Eloise."

She turned before he could respond and walked towards the door, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. One step. Two. Three. A low laugh suddenly echoed behind her. Yuki stopped. She slowly glanced over her shoulder. Killian stood exactly where she had left him, one shoulder resting casually against the wall. The amusement in his eyes made her irritation flare all over again. He tilted his head.

"You know, you’re truly adorable."

Yuki stared at him. Her mouth opened, then closed. "Excuse me?"

Killian’s smile widened. "You really think you’re smart and decisive," he said, his voice almost teasing, "but you have no idea you’re a pawn."

The amusement disappeared from Yuki’s face. "A pawn?"

Killian merely shrugged. The word settled somewhere beneath her ribs. She didn’t like the way he said it. Like he knew something she didn’t.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked, taking a step back towards him.

His expression became unreadable again. "Go ahead, Miyuki," he said casually. "By now, your date has probably noticed you’re missing."

Yuki’s fingers curled. She had another dozen questions ready, but one look at that smug expression made her swallow every single one. He knew something. Something she didn’t. And she hated that. Without another word, she stormed out of the restroom. Her heels struck the polished floor with sharp, furious clicks as she marched down the corridor. She muttered Killian’s name beneath her breath, followed by a string of curses that would have made even a sailor blush.

"Arrogant, insufferable..." she grumbled, waving one hand as she walked. "Who does he think he is?"

She was so busy arguing with him in her head that she failed to notice the figure ahead until she nearly walked straight into him. Two strong hands caught her by the shoulders before she could collide with his chest.

"Careful."

The gentle voice immediately broke through her irritation. Yuki blinked and looked up. Declan. His silver eyes searched her face, concern creasing his forehead. His blonde hair caught the soft light spilling from the nearby sconces, and although he carried the unmistakable presence of a strong Alpha, there was nothing threatening about him. Where Killian’s presence seemed to demand attention, Declan’s was calming.

"Are you upset?" he asked softly. "Did someone offend you?"