Chapter 19

Sarah's POV

The air in the ballroom felt stifling despite its grandeur. The chandeliers sparkled brilliantly overhead, their light cascading over the polished marble floor, but I could hardly focus on the splendor. My thoughts were scattered, consumed by the tension that had settled over the room like a storm cloud.

Eren's kiss lingered on my lips, both a comfort and a question. It was possessive, raw, and public-a declaration that I hadn't expected. His grip on my waist was still firm as he guided me through the throng of elegantly dressed guests, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Axel's seething expression.

The Blackwoods were masters at masking their true emotions, yet Axel's anger had been as clear as day. His jaw had tightened, his usually smug demeanor crumbling as he watched his brother claim me in front of him and everyone else. I couldn't shake the memory of his burning gaze, the unspoken tension simmering beneath the surface.

"Sarah." Eren's voice broke through my reverie. He had stopped walking, turning to face me.

I blinked up at him, my mind still clouded. "Yes?"

"You're quiet," he said, his eyes searching mine. His expression was softer now, though there was a hint of concern in his voice. "Is everything all right?"

"I'm fine," I replied, forcing a smile. "It's just... a lot to take in."

Eren's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he nodded. "Let's step outside. You need some air."

I didn't argue. The weight of the party-the whispers, the stares, the oppressive atmosphere-was suffocating. Eren led me toward a set of double doors that opened onto the terrace, and I felt an immediate sense of relief as the cool night air washed over me.

The terrace overlooked the expansive Blackwood estate, the gardens below illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. The scent of roses and night-blooming jasmine filled the air, a stark contrast to the perfumed opulence of the ballroom.

I walked to the edge of the balustrade, placing my hands on the cool stone as I gazed out at the dark horizon. The stars above were scattered like diamonds against a velvet sky, their beauty a quiet reminder of a world beyond the chaos of the Blackwoods.

Eren joined me, his presence steady and grounding. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence was a balm, a brief reprieve from the unspoken tensions that had plagued the evening.

Finally, Eren broke the silence. "You were incredible tonight."

I turned to him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"The way you carried yourself. The way you looked." His voice was low, almost reverent. "Every eye in that room was on you, Sarah. You've claimed your place here."

His words warmed me, but there was a flicker of unease beneath the surface. "I don't want to be the center of attention, Eren. That's not why I'm here."

He stepped closer, his hands finding my waist. "You don't have a choice. You're my wife now. That comes with responsibilities-and power."

I studied his face, searching for the man I had married, the one who had been so different from the rest of his family. But tonight, there was something else in his eyes, something harder and more calculating.

"And Axel?" I asked softly. "What about him?"

Eren's jaw tightened. "What about him?"

"He's angry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "He-"

"He knows his place," Eren interrupted, his tone sharp. "Don't let him get into your head, Sarah. Axel thrives on manipulation. He'll say or do anything to get under your skin."

I nodded, though his words did little to ease my unease. Axel was dangerous, yes, but there was something about him that felt unfinished, like a storm waiting to break.

Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed behind us. We turned to see Eleanor, Eren's mother, stepping onto the terrace. She was as elegant as ever, her dark hair swept back into an intricate chignon, her gown a deep burgundy that shimmered like liquid gold in the moonlight.

"Eren," she said, her voice smooth and composed. "May I borrow your wife for a moment?"

Eren hesitated, his hand tightening on my waist. "What for?"

Eleanor's smile didn't reach her eyes. "A mother-in-law has every right to speak with her daughter-in-law, don't you think?"

Eren glanced at me, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Don't keep her long."

With that, he stepped back, leaving me alone with Eleanor.

She studied me for a moment, her gaze cool and assessing. "You've certainly made an impression tonight, Sarah."

I wasn't sure how to respond, so I settled for a polite smile. "Thank you."

Eleanor stepped closer, her movements as graceful as a predator's. "You must understand something about this family," she said, her tone low and deliberate. "Power is everything. It's what binds us, what sustains us. But it also comes with a price."

I frowned, unsure of where this was going. "What kind of price?"

Eleanor's smile widened, but it was devoid of warmth. "Loyalty. Sacrifice. And a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect what's ours."

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to meet her gaze. "I understand," I said, though I wasn't sure I did.

"Good," she said, her voice like silk. "Because this family has enemies, Sarah. Enemies who would do anything to tear us apart."

Her eyes flickered toward the ballroom. "Even from within."

---

Axel's POV

I watched her from the shadows, my fists clenched at my sides. Sarah stood on the terrace, her gown catching the moonlight, her face illuminated in a way that made her look almost otherworldly.

She was breathtaking.

But she wasn't mine.

Eren's display in the ballroom had been calculated, deliberate. He wanted to make it clear to everyone-especially me-that Sarah belonged to him. The kiss, the possessive way he held her, the way he paraded her around like a trophy-it was all a warning.

And it worked.

For now.

I turned away from the terrace, my mind racing. Eren thought he had won, but he didn't understand Sarah the way I did. She was strong, curious, and fiercely independent. She didn't belong to anyone, least of all him.

As I reentered the ballroom, I caught snippets of conversation from the guests.

"Did you see the way Axel was looking at her?" one woman whispered.

"Trouble brewing, if you ask me," her companion replied. "The Blackwood brothers have always been at odds, but this... this is different."

I ignored them, though their words only fueled the fire inside me. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

_

Sarah's POV

I returned to the ballroom, feeling more unsettled than ever. Eleanor's words, Axel's lingering stares, Eren's possessiveness-it was all too much. The room seemed to close in around me, the whispers and laughter of the guests a cacophony that I couldn't escape.

Eren was waiting for me near the grand staircase, his expression softening when he saw me. He extended his hand, and I took it, grateful for the steadying presence.

"Dance with me," he said, his voice low.

I nodded, letting him lead me onto the dance floor. The music swelled, a hauntingly beautiful waltz that seemed to echo the turmoil inside me.

Eren's hand rested firmly on my waist as he guided me across the floor, his movements confident and deliberate. For a moment, it was just the two of us, the rest of the world fading away.

"You're tense," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

"Can you blame me," I admitted.

He pulled me closer, his grip tightening slightly. "You're doing fine. Don't let them get to you."

I nodded, though his words did little to ease the storm inside me.

As the dance ended, I caught a glimpse of Axel watching us from the edge of the room. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with something that made my heart skip a beat.

What is happening??....