What if you actually let someone in
Aeliana's recovery was slow, but steady. Each day, she grew stronger, and with that strength came a return to the woman I had first met a fierce, unyielding warrior who could hold her own in any fight.
Watching her regain that fire, bit by bit, should have been a relief. It should have meant that soon, we could go back to our usual dynamic me, the aloof and untouchable leader, and her, the resentful but loyal hunter.
But the truth was, I wasn't sure I wanted that anymore. Not after everything that had happened. Not after the way she had looked at me when she first woke up in that infirmary bed, confused and vulnerable.
I hated how much time I was spending with her, hated how every day brought with it another layer of confusion and frustration.