VIOLET
I didn't even think. My feet moved before my brain caught up.
"Zain—wait!"
He didn't. Of course he didn't.
He moved like a wolf barely leashed, muscles tense, every step echoing with power and fury. The halls were dim and narrow, but he filled them like fire. Like danger.
"Zain!" I caught up, grabbing his arm.
He spun so fast, I nearly slammed into him. His chest heaved beneath his open shirt, the scent of pine and storm still clinging to him. His eyes were molten, glowing.
"You should've stayed down there," he said lowly, voice trembling with restraint.
"I couldn't," I snapped. "He's—he was—"
"Your fiancé?" His voice was poison now, thick with jealousy and rage. "Your human life crawling back to you?"
"That's not fair."
He laughed bitterly, too quiet. "Fair? Violet, you've been here long enough to know nothing about this place is fair."
My hand was still on his arm. His skin was hot. Alive.
I let go.
His gaze dropped to where our fingers had touched.
