A Growing Tension
Aria spent most of the next morning avoiding Kael.
Or rather—avoiding the way he kept watching her.
Not in a harsh way.
Not with suspicion or judgment.
But in a way that made her chest tighten… and her thoughts spiral.
Every time she turned, he was there.
Leaning casually against a tree as if he’d been standing there forever.
Walking a few steps behind her when she moved through the grounds.
Speaking quietly with Rowan—yet never fully taking his eyes off her.
He didn’t touch her.
Didn’t crowd her.
Didn’t question her.
He simply stayed close.
Guarding.
And Aria couldn’t decide whether that made her feel safer than she ever had in her life…
—or more exposed than she’d ever been.
Inside the Packhouse
Lyria had insisted she stay in her room to rest, but Aria
