Get it together.
I drag a hand through my hair and force myself to breathe.
Then I hear footsteps.
I turn.
Kaia.
Walking toward the house alone, shadows drifting beside her. Calm. Alert. But softer than before.
She looks… gods, she looks healed. Stronger. Changed.
Mouse is at her heels. New shadows follow her—tentative, careful. And there’s something around her edges that wasn’t there this morning.
Softness.
I can’t look away.
Movement catches my eye. Malrik steps out from another hallway, clearly coming from wherever Darian went.
He sees me watching Kaia.
He smirks.
He knows exactly what he’s doing. Probably orchestrated this whole thing.
Kaia comes up the stairs, notices me. Changes direction. Walks toward me.
My chest tightens.
Say something. Anything.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey.” My voice comes out rougher than I mean it to.
Silence.
I try to look casual. Fail spectacularly.
Heat rolls off me in waves. My fire rune burns against my chest—a sign I’m not controlling my emotions worth a damn.
My jaw locks. I force it to relax.
Just say it.
“I saw you,” I manage. “Ya know. Talking to him.”
She tenses immediately. “Torric, look—”
“You don’t have to explain.” The words come out sharper than I intended. I force myself to soften. “He’s yours… as much as I am.”
I take a breath. Keep going before I lose my nerve.
“You deserve whoever makes you happy. Even if I don’t like it.” My jaw clenches. “Even if it fucking tears at me. I’ll deal with that.”
Because wanting you is mine to deal with, not yours.
