"Aveline, don't listen to him!"
Theodore's voice broke through the thick line of bushes, urgent and breathless.
Theron's hand moved instinctively, reaching for hers. He didn't like the way her attention had shifted so completely, as if he no longer existed the moment Theodore called her name.
But before his fingers could even brush against her skin, she had already stepped away. She moved toward Theodore without hesitation. It was so natural that it made something in Theron's chest tighten.
Aveline watched Theodore push through the bushes, slightly out of breath, with a couple of guards close behind him, trying to restrain him. For a moment, everything else faded.
This…running toward each other despite everything, was what they had done for the past five years whenever they managed to meet.
"Don't touch him," Aveline said quickly, stepping in front of Theodore. "I need to talk to him."
The guards froze at once. Their eyes shifted to Theron.
