Moments later,

Author

The training hall was empty at midnight. Mats rolled against the walls. The scent of sweat and liniment lingered. Aria stood in the doorway, watching Voss move through a kata she didn't recognize.

His back was to her. Shirtless. The scars she'd traced with her fingers two nights ago caught the overhead light in pale ridges. She counted them. Seven across the shoulders. Three along the spine. A star-shaped mark at the base of his ribs that she'd kissed without knowing why.

She stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind her.

He didn't turn. "You're late."

"I wasn't coming."

"But you did." He finished the movement. His...