Chapter 19 Eighteen

• Draeven's brow twitched at Kieran's last remark, his irritation deepening. 'An exception, is it?' he muttered under his breath—too quiet for most to hear, but Kieran caught it nonetheless. There was something new in their usual banter, an unspoken rivalry creeping in, something Draeven couldn't quite name but felt twisting in his chest.
• Kieran, sensing the shift, chose not to prod further. Instead, he let his gaze follow Avelyn as she disappeared around the corner. "Well, she's certainly intriguing," he mused. "There's more to her than meets the eye."
• Draeven scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Intriguing is one way to put it. Reckless and insolent are others." His voice carried an edge that felt out of place, even to himself.