A faint flicker of jealousy flashed through Ares' eyes, but he quickly blinked it away, suppressing any further emotion.
There was no longer a way for him to be part of her world. What he needed now was simple, though painfully difficult: to speak his heart and leave.
The thought of trying to talk to her freely, especially with Zylan's oppressive presence beside her, weighed heavily on him. It wasn't just the gaze—displeasing though it was—it was Zylan himself. His presence made it almost impossible for anyone else to compete, to be heard.
Ares cleared his throat, trying to steady his nerves. But when he opened his mouth, his voice came out unwarm than he intended. "It seems you've been busy," he remarked, the words slipping out before he could soften them.