LOGINFor 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
Aria’s POVSomething in me refused to settle and I know that it wasn’t exactly panic, but if it was, it wasn’t the mind that made you shake or lose breath. It was quieter than that, sharper too, like a thread pulled too tight under my skin, waiting to snap the moment I stopped paying attention. Dam
Aria’s POVThe summons came before I even finished my morning tea.A guard appeared at my door without knocking properly, his expression tight in the way that meant this wasn’t optional, and he didn’t waste time explaining anything beyond a single sentence.“The Elders want you in the Hall.” That al
Aria’s POVThe summons came before I even finished my morning tea.A guard appeared at my door without knocking properly, his expression tight in the way that meant this wasn’t optional, and he didn’t waste time explaining anything beyond a single sentence.“The Elders want you in the Hall.” That al
I stumbled backward. “That’s not real,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “That’s not real.”The voices stopped and silence returned.I let out a shaky breath and forced myself back to the table, flipping open the ledger again with more force than necessary.“Focus,” I repeated. For ten minutes, it w
Aria’s POVThe courtyard was already crowded when I arrived, which should have been my first warning that the day was not going to be normal, but normal had stopped existing for me a long time ago. Warriors stood in loose clusters beneath the iron arches of the Packhouse, their attention split betwe







