Moments later,

Aria

I turned to walk away from Kaelen, but the world tilted. Suddenly, a jagged, white-hot needle of agony shot from my shoulder to my wrist. My vision blurred into a kaleidoscope of gold and red.

I grabbed my arm. The black silk of my sleeve was wet. Hot.

"Ari?" Kaelen’s voice lost its mirth.

"I’m fine," I gritted out, the words scraping against my teeth. "Just a strain."

I tried to take another step, but my knees buckled. Before I could hit the dirt, Kaelen’s massive arms hauled me up against his chest plate.

"Fine? You’re bleeding through reinforced silk!" Kaelen roared. He looked at my hand....