The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 175

Decisions with You-3

And in that moment

Words no longer mattered.

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The kiss burned through her, intense and consuming, pulling her under so fast that for a moment she forgot everything-where she was, what had happened, what still lingered unresolved between them.

But only for a moment.

With a sharp breath, Iva placed her hands against his chest and pushed.

Caleb barely moved, but he allowed it.

Slowly.

Reluctantly.

His brows furrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features as she took a step back, her chest rising and falling quickly as she tried to regain control.

“We need to talk,” she said, her voice breathless but firm.

Caleb exhaled through his nose, clearly unhappy, his gaze still dark, still fixed on her like he hadn’t quite let go of the moment.

“About what?” he asked, though there was a slight edge in his tone.

Iva stared at him for a second, incredulous.

“About what?” she repeated, her voice rising slightly as her emotions finally caught up with her. “Your mother’s question about the mating ceremony, for starters! About everything… I can’t gp on like this… I need clarity.”

He said nothing.

So she continued.

す

“Tomorrow I’m supposed to start classes at the academy,” she went on, her hands gesturing as frustration built, “and yet your family is already talking like I’m staying here… like everything is decided!”

She shook her head, running a hand through her hair as she paced a step away, trying to organize the storm of thoughts in her mind.

“I don’t want to be rude,” she added, her voice softer but strained, “but… what the hell is going on, Caleb?”

The question hung heavily in the room.

For a moment, he didn’t answer.

He simply watched her.

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Decisions NT-You-3

Really watched her.

Not with teasing.

Not with that confident, dominant edge he usually carried.

But with something more grounded.

More serious.

He took a slow breath, his posture shifting slightly as if forcing himself to step out of instinct and into

reason.

“You’re right,” he said finally.

That alone made her blink in surprise.

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“I should’ve explained things better,” he continued, his tone calmer now, though still firm. “Everything is moving fast because of what you are… and because of what you are to me.”

Iva crossed her arms lightly, still guarded.

“That doesn’t answer anything.”

Caleb’s jaw tightened slightly, but he nodded.

“The ceremony,” he said, “isn’t just about us. It’s political. Symbolic. The moment it’s announced publicly, it ties you to the crown… to the entire kingdom.”

Her stomach dropped slightly at that.

“And that means exposure,” he added, his gaze sharpening. “Attention. Risk.”

Iva frowned.

“But you said the danger was handled…”

“It is,” he cut in, then corrected himself with a quieter tone, “for now. But I don’t take chances when it comes to you.”

Something in his voice made her still.

“This is why I didn’t answer my mother,” he continued. “Not because I’m unsure-” his eyes locked onto hers, intense and unwavering “–but because I won’t rush that step without making sure you’re fully protected… and fully ready. We will make the announcement when you decide that you are comfortable with it…

Her breath hitched slightly.

That… wasn’t what she expected.

“And the Academy?” she asked, quieter now.

Caleb sighed, running a hand through his hair again, tension flickering across his features.

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< Decisions Wu-Yeu-3

“You’ll continue,” he said. “I’m not taking that away from you.”

Relief flickered in her chest.

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