Thalia
My entire body locked the moment Zayden's lips brushed my knuckles. The touch lingered just long enough to make my skin crawl. I forced myself not to flinch. Pulling away wasn't an option with everyone watching.
"Our bride."
The words tightened around my chest until drawing a full breath felt impossible. They didn't know how wrong they were. Every time they called me that, it felt like they were trying to force someone else's life onto mine.
What if they found out who I really was?
The thought settled like a weight in my stomach. Every second under their gaze made it heavier. I kept my expression carefully neutral, even as my heartbeat threatened to give me away.
Zayden unsettled me in a way Xander never had. I could never tell what he was thinking, and that uncertainty kept m
