I grind my teeth, tearing my gaze away.
Enough.
I shake my head hard, like I can knock the thought loose.
Three deep breaths. That’s all I need.
One. Two—
“Hey, brother.”
A large, solid hand lands on my shoulder.
I flinch.
“By all the gods—” I snap, reaching instinctively for the blade at my hip. My fingers graze the hilt before I recognize the voice.
I spin, scowling. Rian stands behind me, his hand has already lifted away. His brows rise a fraction, that too-familiar look on his face. Observing. Calculating.
Judging.
“Relax,” he says, tone mild. “What’s got you so on edge?”
Shit.
Rian sees everything. Always has.
And I—godsdamn it—Ineverjump. But I can’t lie to him. And definitely not right now because it’s probably written all over my face.
I cross my arms, jaw clenched. “Don’t sneak up on me.”
He hums—a low sound, almost thoughtful. Still watching me. Too fucking observant.
That’s the thing about Rian. He doesn’t speak often. But when he does—it cuts straight through the noise.
He angles his head. “You were staring at her.”
I don’t respond.
His brow lifts, just enough to make a point. “Youjumped,Thane.”
Godsdamn it.
“She’s myresponsibility!”I snap, the words sharper than I intend.
Rian’s slate-blue eyes bore into me. Sharp. Unrelenting.
“Sit,” he says.
Not a suggestion. An order. Only my brothers can speak to me this way. At least when the other soldiers aren’t around.
I sigh, resigned, and sit down on the bench I was sharing with Amara only moments ago. Like I’ve just lost a battle I didn’t realize I was in. There’s no hiding from Rian.
He eases down beside me with the fluidity of water pouredfrom a pitcher—quiet grace wrapped in coiled strength. Typical Rian.
He doesn’t speak right away. Just sits there, arms resting on his knees, staring out across the training field like he’s giving me a chance to explain myself.
I don’t take it.
