Heavy tomes. Ancient bindings. Symbols I hadn’t seen outside restricted sections.
The books landed with a dull thump.
“I thought these might help,” Caelen said, straightening the books with care. “They’re… personal to me. I figured you’d want every angle.”
I leaned in, slow and deliberate. “Let’s get one thing straight,” I said, voice low. “I don’t trust you. And I don’t need your help to figure this out.”
I slid the closest book aside with a flick of my fingers. “But thanks for the gesture.”
Caelen tilted his head, maddeningly calm. “Now, now. No need to lose your temper.”
I leaned back and smiled—tight and cold.
“You’re right. I’m perfectly calm. And I’m good here, thanks. If I ever need anything from you, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
Caelen didn’t move, but his eyes sharpened at the dismissal.
“Look, Phoenix—”
“Caelen,” I bit out.
His jaw flexed at that. “I know you care about her. Ellie. It’s obvious.”
The way he said her name made something rise in me. I forced it down.
“You really don’t have a clue how I feel about her,” I said, voice low. “So stop pretending you do.”
Caelen blinked—slow, unreadable. “I’m just saying… she’s been through hell. What happened to her. With Vael—”
I tensed before I could stop myself.
She hadn’t told me everything. Not directly. And Caelen saw it.
The flicker of silence. The gap.
“Oh.” A beat. He looked at me, something like hesitation flickering behind his eyes. “She didn’t tell you?”
He leaned back, like he wasn’t twisting the blade.
“I assumed…” His voice trailed off, then he shrugged like it cost him something. “It doesn’t matter. But still - she’s not someone you can protect from everything.”
I stared at him, jaw tight.
“No,” I said. “But at least I’m not trying toownher.”
Caelen’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Neither am I. I just want to give her something real. Something safe.”
I almost laughed. Sharp. Bitter.
“If you think that’s what she wants, you really are an idiot.”
His jaw ticked. “She doesn’t even know what she wants.”
That did it.
The heat snapped through me—pure, visceral.
