ong and quiet, and it made her feel bad. The stone walls were so frigid that they made her skin

r, even though every part of her body told her to run. She clinched her fists to keep the warmth

ara

er heart rate went up. Darius stood in the doorway, and his da

sounded stronger than it was. Her thoughts told he

ice that had a hint of stress in it. "But I already know

ard time," she said. Even though she tried ha

out and delicately touched her arm with his fingers. The contact was ele

g in her throat. "I don't want this," she sai

n his eyes, something raw and

the whole time. Elara's heart raced and her mi

was scared, but because she didn't want to admit how much she wanted to be near him.

d, her voice getting stronger. "Why do yo

about what he was going to say. Finally, he moved towards her, closing the space b

ter voice, as if he were sharing something

" she said, her voice hardly more th

lara wasn't sure if she had dreamed it because it w

He felt his shoulders stiffen as he opened it, but before he went, he looked back at her with a gaze

still feel Darius's touch on her flesh. Her head was full of questio

every time she closed her eyes, she saw him-his dark eyes and

er anger getting the best of her. She sai

She tensed up without thinking. She thought, "Not aga

oor o

ith a piercing, concentrated look. He didn't say anything, but hi

questioned in a low, controlled voice, but u

s heavy again, and his might made it hard for her to breathe. Ther

brushed across her arm as he did. The touch shot anot

e didn't know what she was asking him to stop. She

r. It was hard to hear his voice beca

he air between them

leeve of her blouse. Darius had been quiet for too long. The deal. H

this is all normal." "You have to tell me the truth." What does this contract truly me

when she spoke. His back was to her, and his jaw was hard with stress. There was a thick, oppress

There was a flare of something deep in his eyes-som

He moved closer, reducing the gap between them. His presence was as strong

. She wanted to shout at him to explain and shove him away,

he were thinking about whether or not to speak more. "It

got tight.

ath was almost a whisper on her skin. "I

red in the air like a thick fog. She needed answers-needed them. But every time she

" She asked, her voice trem

a hushed voice, "You don't get it yet." "You were never just supposed to be my frien

e. She said, "Chosen?" again, and the word felt heavy on

nd. The contact was soft, almost hesitant, but it made her jump. She quickl

g me?" Elara asked, staring into

," and his voice was gruff with something she couldn't put her finger on. "But know this: there are forces

ere to find answers, but now she only had more questions. T

else in his eyes that made her doubt everyth