Chapter 83

Aisha's POV The night had fallen with a rare quiet, the kind that stretched deep into the bones. The camp had gone still. No howls in the distance. No scouts returning. Just the hum of wind through canvas and the flicker of torches against pale tent fabric. Simon stood near the entrance to my quarters, shoulders stiff, like he was bracing for war. Again. His eyes never left mine—not when I stepped into the lamplight, not when I crossed the room without a word. And not when I finally said, "You never broke it. Things were rough with us." His jaw tensed. "The bond?" I nodded, heat rising behind my ribs. "I convinced myself you did. That you let go. But the truth is, I stopped listening. I shut it out… because I was afraid." His gaze softened. "Aisha—" "No," I interrupted gently. "Let me finish." He waited, silent. I stepped closer. His breath hitched. "And now I know. You never let go, did you?" "No," he said hoarsely. "Never." Something inside me cracked. Not from pain this time—but fro