Aria POV

I could feel his eyes on me before he even spoke. Kael’s gaze was like a weight pressing against my skin, making it harder to breathe. I tried to look anywhere but at him, but that only made the silence louder. The clinking of cutlery from Venessa and Elena felt like daggers scratching against my nerves. Finally his voice broke through, deep and controlled, carrying that edge that always made people stop breathing for a moment.

“Aria.”

My name left his lips with a gravity that made my chest tighten. I lifted my head slowly, meeting his stare, and for a split second I wished I hadn’t. His...