The wind howled around them, the night stretching endlessly before them as Aether surged forward, untamed and unrelenting.
Lucavion didn't slow. Didn't react.
But Aeliana felt it.
The tension in his body. The way his grip on the reins had tightened just slightly. The way his breath had hitched for just a moment before he forced himself back into ease.
She smirked.
'You heard me.'
She leaned in closer, her lips near his ear, her voice smooth, quiet—undeniable.
"I know you heard me."
Lucavion stiffened again.
Aeliana chuckled under her breath.
"Don't try to act like you didn't."
She felt him swallow, could practically see the gears turning in his head as he scrambled for an escape.
And then—
"Aha… ahahaha—"
Lucavion laughed.
The bastard laughed, easy and light, as if she had just made a passing joke, as if nothing had happened.
"What did you say?" he mused, his tone playful, infuriating.
Aeliana's eyes narrowed.
'Oh, so that's how you're going to play it?'
