"Aeric!"
Darius's voice thundered through the room.
He shot up from his chair so violently it scraped across the marble floor. In two strides, he fisted Aeric's collar and slammed him back against the wall.
"Stay away from her!" he snarled. "How dare you put your eyes on her!"
Aeric didn't fight, only winced slightly as Darius's grip tightened.
"Darius—calm down. Let me speak—"
"No." Darius growled, his teeth clenched. "I should never have let you near her."
But Aeric's hand slowly rose. He curled his fingers around Darius's wrist and peeled it away—firm, steady, unafraid. He straightened his outfit calmly, eyes cool.
"I didn't say that for myself," Aeric said. "I said it for you."
Darius froze. "…What do you mean?"
Aeric didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked back to the ornate table, brushed dust from his sleeves, and lowered himself onto the chair. His gaze drifted to the chessboard between them.
