Ashina POV

"Yes, and you must be Ashina," he replied, taking my hand and giving it a gentle shake. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine,” I said with a smile. I stood there for a few seconds as Philip held on to my hand longer than he should. “My hands…”

“Ah sorry!” He said and immediately let go of my hands. He came around me and pulled out a seat for me.

“Thank you,” I said, settling into the seat. The rate at which my heart pounded against my ...