“Mia…”
Her voice cut through my thoughts before I even realized I’d stopped moving. She was already striding toward me, her eyes wide, her hair bouncing slightly as she quickened her pace.
“Kael!” she called again, this time closer.
When she reached me, she didn’t hesitate. Her hands came up, hovering near my arm like she was afraid to touch but couldn’t stop herself either. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice soft but urgent. “You didn’t get hurt tonight again, did you?”
Her concern hit me harder than I expected. For a second, I wanted to just nod and let her words be enough. But I couldn’t. Not tonight.
I stepped back, putting a small space between us. My chest tightened as I drew a slow breath. “Mia… I’m sorry,” I said, my voice lower than usual, almost unsteady. “But I have to sa
