Rory’s POV

The first thing I noticed was the heat.

It wasn’t the everyday warmth of a firelight. It was alive, pressing, breathing, wrapping around me until sweat soaked my skin. My pulse raced as flames licked the edges of the courtyard torches, flaring brighter every time I breathed.

“I told you to stay away from me,” a rough, low voice broke through the night air.

I spun around, startled. Darius stood in the shadows, his golden eyes burning like hot embers. His shirt ...