I’m waiting for her.
I felt her leave earlier. Felt the pull of the bond shift when she walked away from the house with Revna. I followed her, then finally walking away when I saw her with Darian. I just can’t. And I’ve been on edge ever since.
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.
