Zayne's POV
Aurora's aura wraps around mine, no longer clashing, aligning. The bond roars back to life.
Not healed. But I'm awake.
The wards hum louder, reacting to the sudden spike in power.
Somewhere beyond the walls, alarms begin to sound.
I pull back slightly, my eyes wide. “You felt that too.”
“Yes,” she says, breathless. “They know.”
Suddenly, footsteps thunder down the corridor. I could hear shouts echoing.
Council guards. Mages. Enforcers.
Aurora folds the papers carefully and presses them into my hand. “You signed this to protect me,” she says. “Now I’m signing something, too.” I stare at her. “What?”
“My choice,” she replies. “Out loud. In front of anyone who thinks they can undo us.”
The door rattles as someone tries to force it open. Aurora turns toward it, her alph
