-38-

|ORION|

She was leaving today.

‘Don’t make me regret letting her spend some time with you, send her back.’ Ailana had warned me earlier this morning making me run my hand through my hair.

I was frustrated.

Ailana's warning echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of the delicate balance I was trying to maintain between my responsibilities and my desires.

I paced back and forth in my chamber, my thoughts consumed by the impending departure of the woman who had captured my heart.

Astraea had brought light into my life, igniting a fire within me that I had long thought extinguished. And now, as she prepared to leave, I felt a sense of loss gnawing at my insides.

‘She’s not leaving forever.’ I told myself.

But I couldn't let my emotions cloud my judgment. Ailana's words were a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked outside the palace walls, dangers that could threaten Astraea's safety if she ventured too far from the protection of Zorzaris.

Running a hand through my hair in frustration, I