Sylvie's gaze lingered on the faint shimmer of mana in Astron's hand as her thoughts spiraled. His calm, unwavering conviction in Maya's ability to handle herself was admirable. Logical, even. But the more she thought about it, the more it unsettled her.
Would he believe in me the same way?
The question arose unbidden, sharp and cutting, and no matter how much she tried to ignore it, it refused to fade. Her chest tightened as she turned the thought over, her fingers brushing the edge of the table in a restless rhythm. If I were in Maya's position, fighting something like this… would he trust me to face it alone?
The answer she found within herself wasn't comforting.
No. He wouldn't.