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Morning came too soon.
Aiden barely slept. His heart was still racing from the night before. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Shinomi's stunned face, his hand in his, the way the hickey bloomed like a brand across his collarbone.
Now, seated in the royal carriage beside Celestia, Shinomi, and Cassian, he kept his eyes low and his fingers wrapped tightly around the silk of his robe.
Cassian, seated directly across from him, stared out the window with a half-distracted expression. Occasionally, his gaze flicked toward Aiden, but Shinomi—seated at Aiden's side—seemed far more relaxed than he should've been.
Too relaxed.
Aiden glanced at him.
Shinomi leaned back, one arm draped lazily over the seat behind Aiden, the collar of his robe slightly open. Just enough to show the faintest trace of the mark Aiden left.
Aiden's eyes widened slightly. Was he doing it on purpose?
Celestia, dressed in a deep maroon gown, cleared her throat. "It's strange," she said, breaking the silence. "We haven't all traveled together like this before."
"Feels crowded," Shinomi muttered, not even glancing her way.
Cassian chuckled softly but didn't add anything.
Then, for the first time, Cassian leaned forward and directed a question straight at Aiden.
"Are you enjoying your time here, Ren?"
Aiden blinked. "Y-Yes. Everyone has been kind."
Cassian's eyes searched his. "Even Shinomi?"
That made Shinomi finally turn. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just curious," Cassian said coolly. "You've been keeping him rather close lately."
Aiden felt the tension twist around them like a cord.
"I like having him close," Shinomi said, not bothering to hide it anymore. "Is there a problem with that?"
Celestia's lips twitched, but she kept her mouth shut.
Cassian leaned back, eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more.
The rest of the ride was filled with tight silences, soft hoofbeats, and occasional glances between the three royals—none of which Aiden could quite read.
When they stopped to rest by a riverside clearing, Celestia approached Aiden with her usual grace, but her tone had a slight edge.
"You're getting bolder," she said, offering him a cup of cool tea.
Aiden took it with both hands. "Thank you."
"Are you… looking for something, Ren?"
He met her gaze and smiled sweetly. "I already found it."
She tilted her head. "Oh?"
"Someone who actually sees me."
Celestia's expression cracked for just a second before she turned away.
Meanwhile, Shinomi sat by the water, idly skipping stones, waiting for Aiden to join him. When Aiden finally walked over and sat beside him, Shinomi didn't look at him. He simply said, "You're dangerous when you're quiet."
Aiden smiled. "You didn't seem to mind last night."
Shinomi side-eyed him, amused. "I didn't say I minded. I said you were dangerous."
Their hands touched lightly where they sat.
Aiden looked out at the water.
But his heart was on fire.