Present Day
Celia slammed the pot into the sink, water splashing up her arms. Her jaw ached from how tightly she was clenching it. Her hands moved on instinct, scrubbing with a force the poor pot didn’t deserve. Usually, this helped her clear her head, but tonight it only seemed to stoke the restless irritation coiling in her chest.
She’d sent everyone home a little early, wanting the kitchen to herself so she could sort through her thoughts. Still stewing over earlier. Over Lucas. Over the warriors snickering like children. Over the way he barked at them, forcing them to help her like she was some helpless little thing.
Too little, too late. That was all she could think. Where had this protective streak been three years ago when he left without a word? When he’d shattered her heart and
