Lirael's POV

“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, running my hands over my face in frustration.

When I finally met his gaze again, there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes. “I’ve never seen you like this before,” he remarked, his tone almost intrigued.

A bitter laugh escaped me. “You haven’t been around me enough to see anything.”

He nodded slowly, acknowledging my point. “But if I had, would I have seen this side of you?”

I shook my head, unable to deny the truth. ...