From the moment Kaius and Dhalia—Raya—had their tense conversation, she kept her distance. She didn’t just avoid talking to him; she actively positioned herself in ways that made it impossible for him to approach. Whether it was during training, mealtime, or even the brief moments of free time they had, she always found a way to slip just out of reach. It was infuriating.
He could feel the bond, just as she could. He could sense the way her heartbeat quickened when he was near, could catch the flicker of hesitation in her eyes before she forced herself to look away. She felt it, but she was denying it, shoving it down as if sheer willpower could undo what fate had set in stone.
Kaius was no fool. He understood that this wasn’t just stubbornness. Something was holding her back, something
