로그인Damon’s POVFor the first time in weeks, I wasn't working. No patrol reports, no council meetings, no elders trying to force decisions onto my desk. Just Aria.I had made that decision the night before and refused to let anything interfere with it, though unfortunately Aria was currently trying to.
Damon’s POVFor the first time in weeks, I wasn't working. No patrol reports, no council meetings, no elders trying to force decisions onto my desk. Just Aria.I had made that decision the night before and refused to let anything interfere with it, though unfortunately Aria was currently trying to.
Aria’s POVThe pounding on my door started before sunrise and at first, I thought I was dreaming so I buried my face deeper into my pillow, groaning as the knocking continued, louder this time and far more persistent."Aria!"My eyes snapped open. I knew that voice.Sitting up, I checked my phone. The bright screen nearly blinded me.5:12 AM.I stared at it in disbelief.Another round of pounding rattled the door."Aria, open this door!""Mira, can you get that?" I called out automatically before remembering she wasn't home. She had stayed overnight at the infirmary after yesterday's chaos.With a groan, I dragged myself across the apartment and yanked the door open.Immediately, I regretted it because Alina stood in the hallway looking as elegant as ever despite the ridiculous hour. Behind her were two older women carrying baskets filled with flowers, candles, folded fabrics, and bundles of herbs."Good morning, dear," Alina said brightly."It is five in the morning.""Exactly.""Nor
For a moment, he just stared at me then, slowly, his expression softened again, like he was slipping back into a version of himself that knew how to win me over.“You’re really choosing him,” he said quietly. “After everything I did for you?”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “You didn’t do anythi
Aria’s POVThe infirmary was too quiet, not peaceful—never peaceful—but had this kind of silence that felt forced, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting my nose the moment I stepped inside, and for a second I almost turned back.Almost
Aria's POVThe feeling wouldn't leave, it followed me through lunch, through the reports stacked on my desk, through every conversation I barely paid attention to and no matter how many times I reminded myself that Damon could handle himself, that he had survived far worse than a day spent with Kade
Damon stepped out from the trees.Of course he did.He didn’t look surprised to see Lex. If anything, he looked like he had expected this exact moment. His expression was carved from something cold and controlled, but his eyes were sharper than usual, locked entirely on Lex like he was already calcu
Aria’s POVHis lips crashed against mine and the kiss was rough, fiery and filled with immense passion. Damon’s lips moved against mine like he was still trying to merge with me. His hands fisting my waist and pulling me closer as he kissed me like his life depended on it, then he pulled away.“Ari
Damon’s POVAria was gone. At first, I thought she was asleep but when I pushed open her bedroom door and found the bed empty, the bathroom dark, and the windows still locked from the inside, irritation hit before panic did. I stood there for half a second, staring at the untouched blankets like the
Rain tapped steadily against the windows while voices murmured quietly around us from the rest of the café.Finally, Mira narrowed her eyes at me. “You’re going to investigate this yourself, aren’t you?”I avoided her stare.“That’s a yes,” she sighed dramatically. “I hate when you get that look on