Ivara's POV
I wasn't looking ahead as my gaze was fixed on Elodie—when I ran straight into a wall.
No. Not a wall, a man.
“Ah—”
The impact jolted me backward, and my breath hitched in my throat. Strong hands caught my arms before I could go further.
And for one terrifying second, my heart stopped. I was certain it was Xlynor.
But when I looked up, my eyes met with blue eyes staring down at me from behind a black mask—intense and solely fixed on me.
My breath released all at once.
The man was about the same height as Xlynor, with that same aura that felt dangerous.
“I—” I started, rushing to apologize, words tumbling out too fast. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see—”
He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t wait. I could hear steady footsteps approaching from the corner we had just fle
