Chapter 51

Briar’s POV

"As long as you don’t go crazy and kill us," Kieran said, voice dry as ever.

I shot him a glare through watery eyes. "Not funny."

Kai had already moved closer, his fingers carefully undoing the chains wrapped around my wrists.

His touch was quiet. Gentle. Each click of the locks made me exhale a little easier.

"I’m sorry," he murmured, not meeting my gaze. "We didn’t know what else to do."

I didn’t respond. My throat was still tight.

The last shackle dropped to the floor with a metallic clink. I rubbed my wrists instinctively—angry red marks circling them.

But before I could say anything, Kai leaned forward, took one of my wrists in his palm… and pressed a kiss against the irritated skin.

I froze.

The warmth of his lips lingered for only a second—but the sting vanished instantly. I blinked, stunned, and looked down. The marks were gone.

"Kai?" I brea