Caspian’s pov
When I left the palace last night, something in my gut told me trouble would follow. That’s why I warned Aeris to stay alert, but even so, when I returned, I sensed it immediately—the faint, lingering scent of the intruder. My worst fears had come true. What hurt me most wasn’t that the enemy had been here, but that Aeris had tried to hide it from me.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust her; I did with every fiber of my being. But last time, I’d almost lost her. The memory of finding her near death haunted me still, and the thought of losing her again—of her facing that threat without me—drove me mad. I acted out of fear, frustration, and an overwhelming need to protect her. I yelled at her, let my anger spill over when all I wanted was to keep her safe.
Now, sitting here, the r
