I kept my gaze locked on Zephyr, unflinching, letting the weight of his challenge settle between us. My mind raced through every consequence, every bloodied corner of the Red Moon that would shift hands if I agreed. But I’d already decided. “I know that’s not what you want,” I said evenly, my voice calm despite the storm building in my chest.
For a flicker of a second, Zephyr looked momentarily taken aback—his smirk faltered, eyes narrowing as if he’d expected me to flinch or bargain. Then the mask slid back into place. He chuckled, the sound cold and mirthless, a smirk curling deeper at the corner of his lips. “No…” he drawled, almost to himself. “That’s not what I want.” He shrugged, casual in a way that made it worse. “But since you said anything…”
He let the word hang in the air, hea
