Calista
The pounding in my chest refused to slow down as I walked away from Aerion.
When I believed I had made it far enough, I pressed my palm to the rough stone wall of the hall, desperate to steady myself.
My skin still buzzed and the faint scent of Aerion still clung to my senses. It was as if my body refused to forget him, no matter how much my mind screamed that I should.
I sucked in a breath, feeling the bite of the night air against my cheeks. But not even the cold was enough to soothe the ache of the mating mark, which ached almost painfully. I was worried the amulets' magic was straining against it. It was by sheer luck that Aerion had not found out.
The last thing I needed was for anyone, especially him, to see what I had spent years hiding.
I forced my feet to move, each
