Darius was different the next morning.

I felt it the moment I woke, his presence through the bond more intense than usual. Not alarming. Just deliberate. Like he'd made a decision overnight and was committed to seeing it through.

He was waiting outside my quarters when I emerged, leaning against the wall with an expression that made my stomach flip.

"Morning," I said cautiously.

"We need to talk." He pushed off the wall, moving into my space with purpose. "About us. About how we've been ...