**Thalia’s POV**
Zev and I both turned quickly when we heard the door open. Orion was standing there, staring at us. My heart pounded as I realized how close Zev and I were—his body pressed against mine, our faces just inches apart. We froze, caught in a moment that felt far too intimate. My mind went blank, and I struggled to find the right words.
"I… You… He…" I stammered, barely able to speak. Zev looked at me, his eyes serious, like he was trying to figure out what to say to his brother. The silence felt heavy, and every second seemed to stretch longer.
Slowly, Zev pulled away from me. He stood up straight and finally spoke. "Just came here to see the cities," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of something I couldn’t quite understand. Then, without another word, he walked away
