FIA
The door slammed shut behind Cian. The sound echoed through the chamber. My heart was still pounding from the confrontation.
I stood there, breathing slowly, trying to process everything that had just happened.
Behind me, I heard movement. The soft scrape of fabric against stone. I turned.
Thorne was getting to his feet. Slowly. His legs looked unsteady. He put one hand against the floor to push himself up. The other pressed against his forehead. When he pulled it away, his palm was smeared with blood.
He stood there for a moment. Just staring at the floor. His shoulders were hunched. His breathing was ragged.
Then he looked at me.
"Why would you step in and save me?" His voice was rough. Tired. "I have been nothing short of antagonizing to you since you entered this territory."
I held his gaze. I didn't look away.
"I knew your reason," I said.
His eyebrows drew together. He was somehow confused.
