Aria's POV
Rhein's presence brushed against Lydia's, not demanding, just there.
The pull toward Viktor didn't vanish in a dramatic rush. It simply... faded. Like a secondary note drowned out by a stronger chord.
I exhaled. Being near Damon felt different and natural. Like my body recognized the space it was supposed to occupy. The constant low-level strain of fighting myself eased without anyone having to ground me first.
Lydia rumbled in quiet agreement. This is where we settle, not the other.
I met Damon's eyes.
"I felt something with him," I said, because lying would only make the fracture worse. "When everything was slipping yesterday. It helped, I won't pretend it didn't."
Damon's expression tightened, but he didn't interrupt.
"But the second I'm with you, it doesn't hold the
