Dangerous Proximity

Vexaria spent the next few days avoiding Xypheron.

She buried herself in training, strategy meetings, anything that would keep her mind occupied. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the memory of their last encounter—the heat of his breath, the way his grip had burned into her skin, the way she had almost…

No.

She clenched her fists, willing the thought away.

She wouldn't let him win.

Not this.

Not her.

Yet, no matter how much distance she tried to put between them, it didn't seem to matter. Xypheron was everywhere. Watching. Waiting.

And worse, he wasn't chasing.

He didn't need to.

He knew she would come to him.

And damn it all, she hated that he was right.

---

It was late when she finally saw him again.

The castle halls were silent, save for the distant echoes of guards making their rounds. Vexaria had just finished