Aria POV

The moment my eyes opened, the first thing I saw was firelight flickering on the log walls and his figure, pacing like a caged animal.

“You scared me,” he said without turning. His voice was a blade.

“You’re scaring me now,” I whispered.

He spun, eyes dark and wild. “You almost died. Do you understand that?”

I tried to sit up, but the world tilted. His hands caught me before I fell. Warm. Firm. Trembling.

“Slow down,” he grumbled. “You’re still ...