Obsidian laced with silver. gold so heavy it’ll crown or kill.

Kysre

I stirred to the wet warmth of a tongue dragging across my cheek. Blinking I opened my eyes to a blur of movement and soft pants.

“Sable?” I murmured in confusion.

She let out a low bark confirming my suspicions. Sable’s nail started to click wildly against the hardwood as she bounced in place. Sable was still a pup and full of young energy that at times was too much. Her tail was wagging so hard her back legs wobbled, and every few seconds she gave me an impatient huff letting me know I wasn’t moving fast enough for her. I chuckled then sat up slowly hopping the dizziness I was feeling wore off soon. I slid off the couch and patted my knees for Sable to lean on them. Still a ball of energy, her ears perked as she gently placed her front paws on my knees. Thankfully I decided to wear pants to the business dinner I attended before ending up here. Leaning forward, Sable quickly did the same clearing the space between us. I pressed my nose against hers and soothingly rubbed behind her ears and softly started to hum. After a couple of minutes of my energy being on her, Sable’s tail wagging slowed and her panting eased into quieter breaths.

“I love you my girl,” I whispered and meant every word.

Sable was an unexpected gift that I didn’t know I needed. My life never made room for a pet to be a part of the equation. At twelve I learned just how crazy my life was going to become and because of that I never wanted to get attached to anything…people…pets…places…nothing. I wanted to be free of it all, because at some point, I’d have to run and when I did, the only thing I planned on taking with me was my twin. Yet here I was, nose to muzzle with a Doberman pup that I couldn’t see life without. It was funny because she’d only been mine for two months but everything about her soothed the panic in my soul, and the ache in my heart. The two of us were simply two hearts syncing together, one trying to stay calm, the other trying to hold it all in. Both in need of the other.

“You’re good with her. I love that for us because if you weren’t…well let’s just say I’d hate to lose you before I even had the chance to love you.”

His didn’t hit, they rolled in, easy and soft, like music fading into the background. I didn’t realize it at the hospital, but the way he spoke wasn’t sharp or hurried like I was used to. His sentences gave a lazy sway that felt like a sweet lullaby but also a warning. “Kysre.”

“Sable…down.”

In one quick motion Sable eased off my lap. I rose to my feet with my best girl moving along with me.

“Kysre.” He repeated slow and certain making it clear that it wasn’t a question but a command.

I swallowed hard and slowly began making my way towards the dim corner where Killian lingered, half-swallowed by the shadow. At my side Sable moved with me until I stopped. She stopped beside me, squaring her small shoulders. My girl didn’t growl, didn’t bark, nothing. She stood firm watching and letting her presence be a warning kinda like Killian’s tone.

“Good girl,” I smiled then looked towards Killian.

He stepped out of the corner filling the empty space between us with his aura. The air around us shifted. Still, I held my ground refusing to look anywhere his eyes wasn’t.

“Are you gonna continue to stare or tell me why you kidnapped Sable from daycare?” Before picking River up for dinner, I dropped Sable off to doggy daycare where she was supposed to be until I picked her up.

Killian didn’t respond, he just watched me with eyes that weren’t soft. They held an unspoken curiosity mixed with an unexplainable intensity. A spark of admiration burst through his chocolate hued irises.

“Killian.” I whispered the name Crown told me belonged to the man who had leaned over my hospital bed, and brought our faces together before whispering I am yours against my lips.

“You’re not what you let people see.” His voice was low, cutting through the silence. There’s something about you, quiet and waiting to be drawn out. You’re dangerous…beautiful yet you don’t want anyone to really see that.”

My breathing hitched, the validity of his words settling on my chest like cobbles of stone.

Does he see me?

As quickly as the thought came it ran. It was impossible for a stranger to see what I’ve hidden. Those deep brown coated eyes never left my hazel ones. As he parted those sexy lips once more his voice came out measured, like he already knew the reaction he’ll cause.

“There’s this color around you Kysre or should I say colors.”

“Wha…what?” I stammered confused.

“Obsidian laced with silver. Quiet, but deadly. Similar to a storm that doesn’t announce itself until everyone is already in the eye of it. Beneath that gold so heavy it’ll crown or kill. You hide yourself well but lucky for me and only me, I see you.”

I stiffened. Killian wasn’t just guessing. He wasn’t reaching. He someone knew and because he did, I was ready to be away from his weird ass.

“Sable, let’s go!” I snapped my fingers, but she didn’t move.

“Sable!” I tried again, sharper this time. “Let’s go!”

Still, nothing. Her eyes stayed locked on Killian’s hand, giving a silent command that kept her rooted in place.

“Killian—"

Stepping forward before I could finish, Killian shifted the air between us again. His hand moved to my chest, settling just below my collarbone. His fingers tapped there, matching the rhythm of my pulse, perfectly. His thumb pressed into the opposite side, grounding my anxiety.

“I meant every word,” he said quietly, eyes locked on mine. “So don’t try to run from this. Not with me.”

Layer by layer.

Thought by thought.

With a gaze that felt too intimate too early, he found the parts of me I wanted to hide forever because some secrets were better left untold.

“Come with me. Sable will stay here until after Crown and River have their moment.”

As quick as Killian was to step into my space, he took his time moving away. He turned, leading the way out of the room and only then did I finally exhale. I didn’t know what it was about him. The fight in me didn’t vanish, but it softened. I didn’t want to run anymore. I just wanted to understand how Killian could touch a place no one else ever had with nothing but words and make me want to stay.

Only I couldn’t. Whatever existed between us, it wouldn’t work.

Not with the life I had.

Not with the weight I carried.

I had other priorities ones that would always trump a life built on love.