ARIA’S POV

“Tom!” The name slipped from my lips in a sharp gasp. For a second, my chest froze. I stared at him like he had clawed his way back from the grave.

“I’m sorry, my lady,” he whispered, bowing his head. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

My throat went dry as I wanted to speak, but words felt caught somewhere inside me.

Finally, I managed, “Where have you been?”

Tom’s gaze darted around the empty corridor before he stepped closer. I could smell the sweat from ...