Aria's Pov
I stepped out of the bathroom, my skin still tingling from the longest bath I'd ever taken. The vomit smell from scouring cauldrons had finally faded, but my nerves were still on edge.
"Are you sure it's not because you want to make a good impression on Kaine tonight?" Davina's voice echoed in my mind, tinged with amusement.
"No, of course not," I mumbled, but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.
I sighed, running a hand through my damp hair. "Okay, fine. I'm nervous about meeting Kaine. Now that he's going to tell me the whole truth, I fear what he's going to say and how I'll react."
"I get it," Davina said, her tone softening. "But try to keep an open mind, okay? You've known him long enough now to see he's really tried to protect everyone."
I nodded, taking a deep breath as I exited the Academy. The cool night air hit my face as I made my way to the pack house garden.