Aria's POV
By noon the next day, everything the witch had requested for the ritual had been gathered and brought to my territory.
The supplies were arranged inside a designated room. My skin prickled every time I stepped near the ritual chamber because of the amount of magic gathered in one place.
We had decided not to return to the old Grayson estate. I didn't want my daughter, father, and brother to witness the ritual or have to endure the fear of watching me go through it. Instead, we stayed at my home. Damon had barely left my side since we arrived.
By evening, he stood beside me while the witch prepared the ritual ground inside the room.
His arms were folded across his chest, but I could sense the tension beneath his calm expression. The mate bond between us hummed softly, respon
