Chapter 10 Aria

• This time, Caelum's touch against my skin is not brutal, but it still carries a firmness that makes me hold my breath. When he pulls me closer, I feel the heat of his body radiating, making the distance between us practically nonexistent. His deep green eyes lock onto mine, piercing almost into my soul. I feel my heart racing, wanting to leap out of my chest, pounding against my ribs like a war drum. The blurred memories of that night with the Greek god resurface in my mind, causing me fear.
• Caelum cannot be the father of my children. With everything that has been happening, with the dangers the king faces from the Wolfspawn Renegades, my children would be in constant danger, and that is a possibility I could never accept. Every fiber of my being screams to protect those I love, and the mere thought of Caelum, with his power and complexities, getting close to them terrifies me.
• Furthermore, there is the pride I cannot ignore. The insinuation that I would have slept with him for my own gain is such a deep offense that anger begins to bubble within me, replacing the fear. My body reacts even before I can formulate a plan, and in a swift, decisive movement, I break free from Caelum's grip, forcing myself to stand tall, putting as much distance between us as possible.