[Ava's POV]
The night was long and still, broken only by the campfire's snap and pop. Ava sat across from Lucian, firelight playing on his face. His usual confidence was gone, like he was lost in thought. He always hid what he felt, using arrogance as a cover. But not tonight. His jaw was tight, his eyes distant, and the weight of whatever he was hiding hung heavy between them.
Ava felt it a strange tension in the air. Their bond the thing that always linked them pulsed softly, but it felt different tonight. It was a dull ache, a question left hanging.
The quiet around them was heavy. She kind of felt the walls he put up those walls had been there forever, but tonight, they seemed weaker.
Ava kept looking at him. She could feel his stress, see him clenching his fists, his jaw ticking l
