Her First Ritual

Olivia swallowed. she did not even want to ask why a big man like him wanted to be protected! 

Rhistel's eyes held her for a long moment, and then, as if a switch had been flipped, the glint of sincerity in them vanished. He tilted his head and stepped back from the shelves.

"But enough about Oriana," he said, almost too casually. "We were speaking of you."

Olivia's shoulders tensed. She wasn't ready, and yet—she was. Her heart had decided long before her mind caught up.

Rhistel's voice dropped, no longer playful, but heavy with meaning. "Are you prepared to take responsibility for what you are, Olivia?"

Her breath hitched. The air around them had grown colder, or maybe it was her blood that had chilled. But still, she nodded. "Yes," she said softly. "I think I am."

He watched her quietly, searching for any hint of doubt. But though her voice had trembled, her eyes did not waver. That was enough.