They didn’t go back to the palace.
Not immediately.
The ridge was quiet now too quiet but leaving it unguarded after what had just happened didn’t feel like strategy.
It felt like a mistake.
Lucian made the call without hesitation.
“Set a perimeter,” he ordered.
Rune nodded, already signaling to the remaining guards. “No one crosses without clearance.”
Lucian didn’t add anything else.
Because his focus wasn’t on the ridge.
It was on Aria.
She was still leaning against him, her breathing steadier now but not normal. Not fully recovered.
And he could still feel it.
The bond.
Not as chaotic as before.
But not calm either.
It wasn’t resting.
It was… waiting.
“You’re still carrying too much,” he said quietly.
Aria didn’t argue this time.
“…I know.”
Her voice was softer now.
