Chapter 18

AUBREY'S POV I waited until Knox's footsteps faded completely before letting out the breath I'd been holding. The study suddenly felt less suffocating, though his scent still lingered in the air. My fingers traced the edge of his desk absently as I tried to focus on what needed to be done. "Get it together," I muttered to myself. "You have a job to do." The castle's border defenses. Patrol schedules. That was what Jax needed, not whatever complicated mess I'd created with Knox. I moved to the window, watching the guards make their rounds along the castle walls. Their patterns seemed random at first glance, but there was always a system. I just needed to find it. I checked my watch—it was almost time for morning training. Perfect. The training grounds were the best place to gather intel without raising suspicion. I left the study, careful to close the door exactly as I'd found it. The corridors were busier now, filled with warriors heading to their various duties. I'd learned their rhyt