"You think I'll just stay quiet after being treated like that?"
The words hung in the air.
Josselyn's body went rigid. Howarth's gaze felt like it pierced straight through her, and his steady steps kept forcing her backward.
The water had reached her thighs now. Cold spread through her body, making her shiver.
"Y-you're joking…" Her voice was soft, barely audible.
Howarth did not smile.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
He took another step forward.
Josselyn stepped back.
Her focus fractured as the water brushed against the lower part of her body.
'Damn it. My body is getting sensitive again.' She cursed inwardly, her breath hitching.
"Howarth… it's cold here. Can't we—" Josselyn struggled against herself, forcing her mind to stay clear.
"Cold?" Howarth cut her off, his voice low. "Do you need me to warm you up again, Jossie?"
Jossie.
A faint echo stirred in her memory.
"Keep saying my name, Jossie…"
It was Howarth's voice, along with his breath, from that first night in Frostmere Village.
"Don't call me that," Josselyn said quickly.
"Why?" Howarth tilted his head. "Does it remind you of something? Or is it your body reacting?"
Josselyn shook her head quickly.
"Don't talk nonsense—"
"I'm just curious," Howarth interrupted, his easy smile returning, though his eyes remained sharp.
Josselyn stopped moving, but the water did not. It continued to brush against her sensitive skin.
"Damn…" she whispered.
Her breathing grew uneven. The chill that had made her shiver began to fade, replaced by a slow, creeping warmth.
Without realizing it, Josselyn's hand reached forward and grabbed the fabric of Howarth's clothes. They were too close now.
"Howarth…"
"Hm?" His tone was light, as if he were enjoying this.
"My body…" Josselyn lowered her head, her hair falling to hide her face. "I'm not doing this on purpose."
Howarth watched her for a long moment. His smile turned faintly cynical.
"Are you sure you want to blame your power?"
"I don't know." Josselyn's breath grew heavier. "My body—"
"And earlier?" Howarth's voice sharpened. "On the horse."
Josselyn froze. Her eyes darted, caught between panic and confusion.
Howarth took that as confirmation. He let out a short laugh.
"You remember it," he said quietly. "That means you were aware, Jossie."
"I wasn't—"
"If it was just the effect of your power, you shouldn't remember it. Like before."
Josselyn shook her head. "I don't know!"
"Or were you deliberately teasing me?"
"Stop saying ridiculous things, Howarth. Why would I…" Josselyn swallowed, her voice dropping even lower, "…do something that embarrassing on someone else's horse."
Howarth nodded slowly. "You enjoyed it, and you know it."
"Howarth!"
Her voice broke.
The water around her shifted, intensifying the sensation she was trying to suppress. Her breathing quickened.
She lowered her head, her grip on his clothes tightening.
'Damn it… this water…'
"Howarth…" Her voice weakened, and she knew her face must be flushed. "This is strange…"
Howarth reached out. His long fingers touched her chin and lifted it gently.
"Look at me, Jossie."
Josselyn shook her head.
"Jossie," he repeated, firmer this time.
Slowly, reluctantly, she gave in and lifted her face.
'Don't look at me…' Josselyn squeezed her eyes shut. '…I must look ridiculous.'
She opened them again when she heard his soft chuckle.
"Why?" Howarth asked quietly. "You know, you look quite appealing like this."
His thumb brushed along her slender jaw.
"Your half-lidded eyes, like you're begging. Your flushed cheeks, showing how hard you're holding back. And that small mouth of yours…"
His fingertip traced her naturally red lips.
"It makes me want to silence it."
His words only made the heat inside her rise further. Her body trembled faintly.
"I…" Josselyn pressed her lips together tightly, stopping the plea from slipping out.
"What are you two doing?"
The voice cut through everything.
Both of them startled and turned toward the sound.
Killian stood there at the edge of the lake. His expression was not entirely visible, but the sharpness of his gaze was unmistakable.
Howarth immediately stepped back.
"Why is he here?"
The muttered curse slipped from Howarth, just loud enough for Josselyn to hear.
Her mind began to blur, reduced to a single overwhelming impulse. The air between them turned tense, yet somehow it only intensified the sensation in her body.
"Howarth," Killian said, his voice low. "Step away from her."
Howarth raised both hands casually. "Relax. She's just—"
"Don't touch her."
This time, Killian's tone allowed no argument.
Josselyn tried to move. The motion sent small ripples through the water. She was not even sure she could still stand.
She bit her lip hard, holding back the sound that nearly escaped.
"I… I'm getting out…"
Her steps were unsteady. The water felt heavy as she pushed through it. The more she moved, the stronger her body reacted.
"Damn…"
"Josselyn."
Killian's voice was closer now.
"Come on."
Josselyn tried to climb up the bank.
Her hand gripped her dress, lifting it slightly, but the wet fabric shifted, catching her breath.
"Ah…" She forced the sound to stay quiet, unable to fully suppress it.
Her focus slipped. Her foot lost its footing.
"Josselyn!"
Killian moved instantly, catching her before she fell.
Her body felt hot in his arms. Unnaturally so.
"What were you doing in water this cold?" His voice was tense.
Josselyn clutched his shirt.
"Killian…"
The way she said his name made him freeze.
"My body…"
Her breath stuttered.
Killian looked at her more closely.
Flushed face. Unsteady breathing. Distant gaze.
He had seen this before.
"Darius," he called without looking away.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"A blanket."
Within seconds, a thick cloth was handed to him.
Killian immediately wrapped it around Josselyn.
"Hold this," he said quietly.
Josselyn gave a weak nod. She was still trembling, not from the cold.
"Howarth," Killian said again, his tone shifting. "What happened to her?"
Howarth shrugged, already back on the shore.
"How would I know?"
Killian's gaze sharpened.
"Don't lie."
"She fell earlier. Her dress got dirty," Howarth replied lightly. "I was just helping her clean it."
Killian did not respond immediately. He lifted Josselyn more carefully.
"We're going back."
"Killian…" Josselyn whispered.
"Quiet."
His tone was firm. From the side, Josselyn could see his brows drawn together.
He carried her toward the horse. Before mounting, Killian glanced back.
His gaze met Howarth's and held. His jaw tightened.
"I'm not finished with you."
Howarth smiled faintly.
"I'm not going anywhere."
~
The moment they returned to the residence, the atmosphere shifted.
"Josselyn?"
Sebastian, who had just arrived, immediately stood when he saw Killian carrying Josselyn's limp form.
"What happened?"
Kael stepped closer, his focus instantly on her condition.
"She's unstable," Killian answered shortly. "And her body is hot."
He carried her inside and laid her on the bed.
Sebastian stiffened.
"The effect again?" he clicked his tongue. "I told you not to overuse your power—"
Even in her weakened state, Josselyn cursed inwardly.
'Sebastian… you really can't stay quiet, can you. I hope Killian didn't catch that.'
But her fear came true.
Killian stopped. Slowly, he turned his head.
"Effect?"
Sebastian froze.
Kael, standing behind him, quickly cut in. "Not now—"
"What power?" Killian's voice was cold.
Silence fell instantly.
Josselyn reached for the sleeve of Killian's clothing. Her grip was weak.
"Don't…"
Killian looked at her briefly, then turned back to Sebastian.
"Explain."