LOGINDamon’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.
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
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’s POVSneaking Aria out of the packhouse at midnight should not have been this enjoyable.And yet, as she climbed carefully down the old stone ledge outside her bedroom window while muttering insults under her breath, I found myself staring at her with the kind of stupid fondness that would ge
Aria’s POV“Alina’s looking for you.”I stared at Mira from across the kitchen while my pulse slowly settled from Kade’s visit. “Why?”Mira shrugged as she unpacked herbs from the paper bags. “She didn’t say, but judging by her expression, I’d guess she either wants to insult you or assign you twelv
Kade opened his mouth, then closed it again.Exactly.I shook my head and looked away from him. “You didn’t come here to apologize. You came because you can’t stand losing.”“That’s not true.”“It is.” I looked back at him coldly. “You didn’t even care that you hurt me until I walked away.”His expr
“You clearly trust him more than me.”“That’s not true.”“Could’ve fooled me.” The bitterness in his voice caught me off guard and before I could answer, Damon turned and walked away into the trees without another glance back.I stared after him in disbelief. “Damon!”He didn’t stop or even slow dow







