As he finally reached us, Carter still had my hand in his grasp, his thumb brushing across my skin with that same teasing confidence that always seemed to follow him. When I turned, I saw Callum waiting at the end of the garden path, his eyes narrowing the second he noticed who stood behind me.
Without hesitation, Callum strode forward, his posture tense. He gently but firmly took my hand from Carter, replacing the warmth of the trickster prince with his own cooler, controlled presence. Carter only smirked, giving a lazy bow before walking back toward Cassian and the shadowed man still waiting by the trees.
Callum’s hand lingered a moment longer than necessary before he released it, muttering under his breath,
“If I’d known he was out here, I would have taken you to the roof instead. Se
