Lucian’s POV
“But for now,” she said, clearing her throat. That must’ve taken a lot for her to admit. “I need your protection.”
What the… My eyes widened slightly. “Protection?”
She gave a single nod. “From Darius. You mentioned him just now. And I know he’s close. I can smell your people nearby—waiting for him, or something.”
My brows furrowed. “What?” How did she even know that?
Aria tilted her head and sniffed the air like some wild creature. Then she smiled faintly—like a revelation had just clicked into place. “I feel strangely comforted.”
Those words scared me more than anything else.
There was something I should’ve made clear to Aria: though she may not trust me, I trusted her. I didn’t tell her how much her presence meant to me, or how it gave me strength to face Darius. Who
