Romance

  Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  After the meeting, the heavy, almost suffocating pressure from the study seemed to cling to my skin like a film. I followed Lex out in silence through the thick wooden door, leaving Father, the uncles, and the shadow of that name—*Seyoum*—behind.
  The commotion in the front courtyard had died down considerably. The raw victory celebration had faded, giving way to the practical work of cleanup.
  Morning light had finally spread fully, revealing a cold, clear autumn day.
  Lex and I walked down the corridor toward the west wing, which housed the family&#39;s small infirmary and lounge area where Brett was presumably still under observation. Neither of us spoke. I was still processing the meeting&#39;s contents.
  Lex, I could tell, was already switching gears. The line of his jaw was tight, his gaze heavier than usual.
  We had just reached the small lounge o

  Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  The argument that ended so badly became a persistent thorn, pricking the days that followed with awkward silences between Lex and me. We still lived under the same roof, crossed paths at the dining table, passed each other on the training grounds, but something fundamental had shifted. I was no longer the sister he could casually tease or occasionally scold. He was no longer the brother I instinctively protected, thinking he just needed guidance. A sharp, fundamental disagreement on *what our future should be* now lay between us.
  In some ways, I still did as I pleased. Turn me into the demure, reserved young lady Mother and the elder women expected? Not a chance. I still trained myself to exhaustion, sparred with members of the guard who respected my skills, spoke sharply, and carried myself with defiance.
  But in other ways, I learned to compromise. Or mo

  Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  It was a thrill that went bone-deep, like electricity under my skin, making every pore breathe in the night’s tense air. I tossed and turned in bed, the expensive Egyptian cotton sheets tangled into a ruin beneath me. Closing my eyes only brought a barrage of images—the pulsing red ambulance lights, Brett&#39;s stubborn &quot;I&#39;m fine&quot; grin, the frozen coldness in Mother&#39;s eyes when she&#39;d mentioned Uncle Keith&#39;s team moving out.
  Outside, the night was still a deep ink-black, only the faintest hint of grey seeping into the eastern horizon. The estate slept in silence, broken only by the low murmur of patrols changing shifts and the wind rustling through the ancient oaks.
  Then the sounds changed.
  First came sporadic, muffled cheers from the direction of the front courtyard, dulled as if heard through water. Then more voices joined in—

Aurora&#39;s Perspective
  After the meeting, the heavy, almost suffocating pressure from the study seemed to cling to my skin like a film. I followed Lex out in silence through the thick wooden door, leaving Father, the uncles, and the shadow of that name—*Seyoum*—behind.
  The commotion in the front courtyard had died down considerably. The raw victory celebration had faded, giving way to the practical work of cleanup.
  Morning light had finally spread fully, revealing a cold, clear autumn day.
  Lex and I walked down the corridor toward the west wing, which housed the family&#39;s small infirmary and lounge area where Brett was presumably still under observation. Neither of us spoke. I was still processing the meeting&#39;s contents.
  Lex, I could tell, was already switching gears. The line of his jaw was tight, his gaze heavier than usual.
  We had just reached the small lounge outside the infirmary when we heard voices from within. Not medical staff. Brett’s voice, still w

Chapter 273