Aeris Vale pushed her cart down the aisle of the small grocery store, still caught between irritation and distraction. She had spent the morning trying to get errands done before the chaos of her friend's wedding swept her away for the weekend. Nyra had been effervescent about the event, but Aeris felt the familiar ache of dread settle in her chest. Not because of the wedding itself. Because of the one person she knew would be there: Renek.
He hadn't spoken to her in months, yet the invitation had already been sent, and of course he was invited. The thought of him walking into the hall, charming everyone around him, made her stomach twist. She didn't even want to think about facing him.
She scanned the shelves absently, picking up the few essentials she needed: milk, coffee, some vegetables, her thoughts elsewhere, when a shadow fell across the cart.
"Need some help?" a low, smooth voice asked.
Aeris blinked up and froze.
It was him. Caelum Rhaith.
He was casually dressed, but still impossibly magnetic. His dark eyes scanned her briefly, then softened ever so slightly as he offered a small, controlled smile. "Mind if I help?"
"I… I'm fine," she said quickly, gripping the cart tighter. Her pulse spiked, a mix of panic and thrill.
He didn't push, just fell in step beside her, glancing at the items she had collected. "You always shop like this?" he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.
She flushed. "It's… grocery shopping," she said stiffly, wishing she could retreat into invisibility.
"Right." His tone was casual, but the way he looked at her made her feel both exposed and electric, like he could see everything about her. Her thoughts, her desires, her tension—without her speaking a word.
They moved to the checkout line, and Aeris busied herself placing her items on the conveyor, suddenly painfully aware of his presence just a few feet away. He stepped forward when the cashier totaled her groceries, reaching for his wallet.
"Let me," he said, paying for her items before she could protest.
Her jaw tightened. "I can pay for myself," she said, but her words lacked conviction. Something in his deliberate, calm presence made it difficult to assert herself.
"You don't have to," he said softly. "Consider it… a gesture."
She didn't argue further, letting herself be drawn along as he gestured toward the door. "I was actually heading to lunch," he said, tone casual but commanding. "Care to join me?"
Aeris hesitated. Lunch? With him? She barely knew him, and yet… the tension thrummed through her veins. Against her better judgment, she nodded.
They walked together to a small, quiet café nearby. Aeris kept her gaze low, fingers curled around her coffee cup as she tried to maintain composure.
"Something wrong?" he asked, studying her carefully.
"And you assume I'd tell you? I don't even know your name"
"You never asked. It's Caelum… Caelum Rhaith. Now, what's wrong?"
She sighed, unsure how much to reveal. "It's… my best friend's wedding," she said finally. "I was supposed to bring a plus one. Problem is… my ex is already coming."
He raised a brow. "And?"
"And… I don't want to be alone with him there," she admitted, voice low. "It's complicated."
He studied her, dark eyes sharp but unreadable. "I see. You need… someone to watch your back," he said finally.
Aeris blinked. "I… I guess."
He gave her the faintest smile, calculating, teasing, confident. "Then I will accompany you. Consider me your… temporary shadow."
Her pulse quickened, a mixture of relief and apprehension. "You… would do that?"
He leaned back slightly, gaze unwavering. "Yes. Provided you agree to let me. I don't insist. But I assure you… I will make sure nothing ruins your night."
She swallowed, aware of the subtle heat curling in her chest. She wasn't used to men offering this kind of protection—or control. And something about the way he said it, with calm authority, made her body respond in ways she hadn't anticipated.
"Okay," she said finally, tone firm, though her heart raced. "Fine."
He nodded once, expression satisfied. "Good. Then consider it arranged. Lunch first, wedding second."
Aeris let out a small laugh, tension easing slightly. For a moment, the grief, the dread, the frustration of Renek faded, replaced by something sharper, more thrilling.
And for the first time in weeks, Aeris felt a flicker of control slipping into someone else's hands, and she didn't mind.