Darius's entire aura suddenly dropped to freezing levels. His eyes sharpened on Aeric as if he had committed some unforgivable crime just by existing near me.
"Why are you here?" Darius asked, voice cold enough to slice stone.
Aeric stiffened. "I—I was only helping—"
Before Darius could snap again, I quickly stepped forward.
"It was my fault," I said. "I forgot to lock the chamber door, and I lost my balance while picking up Elian. Aeric only saved him from falling."
In my mind, however, I was screaming:
Ridiculous. A man can't even help me without you acting like the world is ending? Irrational tyrant.
But I kept the words behind my teeth, glaring at him instead.
Darius caught the glare—and still dismissed Aeric with a wave, jaw ticking.
"Wait for me in the sitting room."
Aeric bowed slightly and left in a hurry, probably relieved to be alive.
Darius turned to me, clearly ready to start an argument—
But his eyes landed on Elian.
Instant silence.
