Chapter 49

The body cradling hers relaxed and Solus's breathing came low and far apart, letting her know he'd fallen asleep. Fiona still bit her lip and locked her jaw, though, because the strange sensation that took hold of her at his cold reasoning for why she needed to hide away wouldn't ease. For a moment, she foolishly expected him to say he cared for her. That he couldn't bear to see her hurt. But no, instead, he spouted off some completely rational explanation for why she should abstain from the upcoming battle, and too tired to fight him anymore, she agreed. More like lied. Because no matter what he wanted, Fiona wouldn't sit idle while others fought her battle.

Despite her decision, she couldn't help feeling an odd hurt from his words. Nowhere in his speech did he claim he did it because he cared for her. She knew she shouldn't have expected him to. And yet....