The night air was cold and heavy. It came sooner than expected.
Aria sat silently on the edge of the bed, her fingers clenched tightly around the hem of her shirt. Damian knelt before her, holding her hands gently but firmly.
Her eyes searched his, nervous, uncertain, afraid.
“I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.
“You won’t,” Damian replied, his voice calm but strong. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“But… what if it’s a trap? What if they hurt you?”
Damian smiled faintly and touched her face. “They won’t get the chance. You’re not going into this alone, Aria. Every step you take tonight, I’ll be watching. My men will be watching. Hidden in the trees, the shadows, the road. You’ll be covered from all sides.”
She looked down, her lips trembling. “I still don’t understand why they’re doing this.”
“Neither do I,” he murmured. “But I’ll find out. And I’ll make them regret it.”
Aria leaned forward and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder. Damian held her
