Chapter 54: Meeting
>>Aelin
"Come on," Ariston said gently, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. "Let’s get you inside."
I turned to look at him. He had an apologetic look in his eyes
I nodded numbly, following him toward the estate. My heart felt heavy, my earlier excitement from the flight now all gone.
Saying he won’t even come to the bedroom in front of other people made me ashamed. Why did it feel like he was pushing me away? Why did it feel like I was nothing more than a duty to him?
I swallowed hard, my hand instinctively reaching for the pendant he’d given me. There were mixed signals from his side and I wasn’t sure how to respond or what to do.
As we entered the estate, I couldn’t help but glance back toward the direction Draegon had gone, hoping—foolishly—that he might turn around and come see me.
But there was no sign of him now.
And as I followed Ariston inside, the doubt and fear in my heart only grew. The silence in the room felt heavy as I sat on the edge of the plush bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, trying not to let my thoughts spiral.
Ariston stood near the door, his usual confidence replaced with a rare unease. He cleared his throat, breaking the stillness, but his words didn’t come immediately.
"I—" he started, then stopped, his red eyes flickering toward me before quickly looking away.