There it was—that spark of hope. Sure, it was small, but it was undeniably there.
So my smile was all teeth.
"You're asking the right person."
Aeron blinked.
"In fact—" I waved a hand "—it's simple. You just need to solve the problem."
?
His brows furrowed in adorable confusion, like a puppy hearing a strange noise.
I coughed to hide a chuckle. "Well, 'simple' might be overselling it for someone of your intellect—"
Aeron's glare could have melted steel.
"—Alright, alright!" I raised my hands in surrender. "Stop looking at me like you're deciding between stabbing or strangling me."
After a deep breath, I met his gaze squarely.
"Here's the plan: You fight the curse. Not by running—by facing it head-on."
Aeron's pupils dilated.
"What? Isn't this what you are proficient at?"
His lips twitched, but he nodded, gesturing for me to continue.
