"I'm going on my own," I said as we slowed to a stop.
Kael glanced up from his phone, one brow arching. "I'll drop you."
"No," I said instantly. "Thanks. I'll manage."
"Aria." His tone dipped, stern. Annoyed. "Don't be stubborn."
"I said no," I snapped. "Don't follow me. Don't have me watched."
His jaw twitched. "You think I'd—"
"I know you," I cut in. "You'd have me tagged like a parcel if you thought you could get away with it."
We stared at each other. Tension thick again.
But then something odd happened.
Kael exhaled. And… backed off.
"Fine."
I blinked. "Wait—what?"
He slid his phone back into his pocket. "I said fine. You win. Go play reckless civilian for a bit. I've got ten board members trying to schedule my soul out of my body anyway."
Suspicious.
I should've felt triumphant.
But the weirdest part?
I almost missed the fight.
Kael stepped closer, close enough that I had to tilt my chin up.
