Luke tried to regain his composure, his grip on her wrists loosening slightly. He could feel his heart racing, the unfamiliar sensation of vulnerability making him uneasy. Aurelia's gaze never wavered, her heart pounding with the realization that she had managed to break through his stoic exterior.

"Are you..." she asked cautiously, a hint of amusement in her voice. Aurelia tried her best to hold back her laughter, but it slipped out in a sharp snort. Luke sent her an icy glare, but she ...