Defending What's His

The sudden break in their conversation caused Adrien and Zephirah's eyes to dart in opposite directions toward the door, drawing them back from the brink of their conflict.

Zephirah breathed softly, her heart pounding in her chest, "Thank goodness." She silently thanked her unexpected savior and experienced an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the person who had the audacity to step in. She would have flashed daggers at anyone who attempted to snoop into their private moment if the situation had been different, on any other day. But on this particular day, this break was a lifeline, a welcome diversion from the precarious edge they had teetered upon.

"Come in," he said before he finally released Zephirah from his vice-like grip, Adrien stared intently into her, his eyes like shards of ice flashing a deadly warning. The intensity of his gaze persisted as a frightening reminder of the peril she had narrowly escaped.