Chapter 21

"Lilah?"

Ah fuck.

Caspian glares at me as I get back on my feet, harder than I've ever seen him glare at everyone, and Theo turns to face me completely.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this disheveled before. His dark hair is a little unkempt, his usual pristine posture slightly stiff, and his sharp eyes are scanning me like I might disappear any second.

I take an unconscious step back, my body reacting before my mind even processes it.

He notices.

His lips press together for a fraction of a second before he reaches out. He takes a few steps closer to me and reaches out his warm fingers brushing against my cheek, as if he’s trying to confirm I’m real.

The touch startles me. He’s never touched me like this before. Not in a way that suggests he cares.

Before I can react, he closes the space between us and pulls me into a firm embrace.

I go rigid.