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Keiran

PRESENT TIME

He'd made a fucking mistake.

The thought became clear to Keiran as soon as he saw his wife's eyes light up. The last time he saw that, she had tried climbing another tree for another "rare" fruit. And of course it had also ended in mishap, since that was the story of her life.

That last time, he had managed to save her, but it had also resulted in him spraining his wrist, which he had barely managed to hide from her. This time, however...

"Are you ready?" Keiran asked, his voice deliberately cool despite the heat coursing through him at the sight of Cadence in the midnight blue gown.

"Ready."

Her fingers shook as he held her hand. He gazed at her for a moment, seeing the way her gown left her shoulders bare, its bodice gently hugging the curve of her breasts before cascading silkily to the floor.

The diamond choker he gave her sparkled under all the lights like a chain of ice.

His chain.

His claim.

Because she was his.

And he would always want her to be his, whether or not he learned to trust her again.

"I don't know how to be a proper mistress," she confided to him as they began walking.

"I don't think you're supposed to be proper for one," he pointed out dryly.

"I..." Her expression turned sheepish. "I didn't think of it that way."

"As expected."

She sputtered, and Keiran's lips pressed together in a straight line.Biggest fucking mistake ever, he found himself thinking again. Everything she said and did right now was just too damn adorable, and he had a feeling it would be a lot worse once they arrived at the ball.

Once inside the limo, she immediately plopped herself on his lap, catching him off guard completely. But all she did was smile at him. "Just doing what mistresses do."

His gaze narrowed at her. "You're up to no good, aren't you?"

She peered up at him from under her lashes. "I have no idea what you're implying."

"Think twice before you start playing with fire," he advised silkily.