(Astria's POV)
The rain kept pouring.
The cold kept sinking into my skin.
And Morana… Morana kept looking at me like she knew something I didn't.
I was still holding her jacket, still feeling the warmth where our fingers had brushed.
I should've been thinking about how to get out of here.
But instead—I was thinking about her.
And then—
The door slammed open.
"Astria?"
I flinched. Aurelle stood in the doorway, umbrella dripping, eyes wide.
Shit.
Her gaze flickered between me and Morana—the close proximity, the jacket in my hands, the undeniable tension in the air.
She looked pissed.
"What the hell is this?" she snapped.
I stepped back—too fast. Too guilty.
"It's not what it looks like," I blurted.
Morana scoffed beside me. "Yeah, because that's convincing."
I shot her a glare, silently begging her to shut up.
Aurelle crossed her arms, her eyes never leaving mine. "I came looking for you, but I didn't expect to find you here. With her."
There was something in her tone.
Something that made my stomach twist.
I knew what she was thinking.
What this looked like.
I opened my mouth—to explain? To deny? I didn't even know.
But Morana beat me to it.
She leaned against the wall, hands in her pockets, voice dripping with amusement.
"Relax, sweetheart. We were just getting cozy."
Aurelle's expression darkened. "Don't call me that."
Morana smirked. "Jealous?"
Aurelle bristled. "Of you? Don't flatter yourself."
I stepped between them before it could get worse. "It's nothing, okay? The rain trapped us here. That's all."
Aurelle's jaw clenched.
She didn't look convinced.
And honestly? Neither was I.
Aurelle took a deep breath, reining in her emotions.
"Come on," she muttered, handing me her umbrella. "I'll walk you back."
I hesitated.
Then, I glanced at Morana.
She raised a brow, clearly unbothered. "Go on, princess. Your knight in shining armor is waiting."
Aurelle shot her another glare.
I sighed, stepping toward Aurelle—but with every step, I felt like I was leaving something behind.
Morana didn't move.
She just watched me go, expression unreadable.
And for some stupid, frustrating reason…
I hated that.