You're losing it over *that?*" he spat, his voice venomous. "Akuna might have seen you kiss my hand, and now you're acting like the world's ending? God, Eva, do you even hear yourself?"
He let out a scornful laugh, tilting his head as he looked her up and down. "That kiss? That pathetic, trembling little thing you did? It was nothing. Less than nothing.."
Eva flinched, gripping the fabric of her dress tightly, but Xylon wasn't done.
"You're scared of Akuna hating you? Of Iclyn? Wake up, Eva! ."
He leaned in, his expression cold and unrelenting. "You think that kiss mattered? It didn't mean a damn thing. Not to me. Not to anyone. It was embarrassing, Eva. Embarrassing."
Her lips trembled, trying to form words, but his words cut her down before she could speak.
Sylvan remained standing, his gaze fixed on Xylon, silent but watchful.
Xylon leaned towards Eva's face and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek for a lingering moment.
