Jade’s POV
“Da—Darius.”
The name slipped out before I could stop it, as if speaking it aloud would shatter the spell he seemed to cast over me. My pulse quickened as I stared up at him, surprised—I had expected him to be tucked away somewhere, whispering secret words with Lilian, just as my gut had warned me. But here he was, standing right before me, his eyes locked on mine with a look that was almost... challenging.
Darius extended his hand, that maddeningly cocky grin plastered across his face. I took a shaky breath, fists clenched with the urge to wipe that grin off him so strong I could almost taste it.
“Darius,” I repeated, my voice sharp with accusation. Pushing myself up, I dusted the dirt from my hands, facing him fully, my eyes narrowing.
His cocky grin only widened, one bro
