Nadia
Quiet descended after Kael left.
In his absence, the chilly anger and toughness I’d armoured myself with began to fade. My heart thumped with the aftereffects of adrenalin. I felt myself slumping.
The arms around me shifted, bearing up my limp weight just as they had been, I suddenly realised, holding me for several minutes now. Had been holding me the entire time Kael was here.
I’d been unconsciously leaning on Vincent for support all along. Holding on to him as I stared Kael down. And it wasn’t just physical support either, I realised – when Vincent had spoken up for me against Kael, I’d let him.
I’d trusted him to look out for me. And he had.
Nothing like that had ever happened to me before.
Before I could decide what to say or do, Vincent’s cool voice asked, “Exac
