Elara POV
I let go of his shirt the moment Mira spoke. The space between us felt wrong and empty in a way that made my chest tighten. Theron didn't pull back. His fingers stayed at my waist like he expected me to step away and was giving me the choice not to.
"You're not choosing him tonight," he said quietly. Not pressure. Not a warning. Just truth laid bare.
Mira's face cracked. "Then say that," she snapped. "Say the words so I can carry them back to Kaelen."
My mouth opened, but nothing shaped itself. Every thought felt heavy and out of place.
Theron didn't step in for me. He only said, "Tell him what you need him to know."
I could have made this simple.
I could have told Mira it meant nothing.
That I panicked.
That it was just comfort.
That there was no weight in any of it.
