"I asked you a fucking question!" Aurelia's shout tore through his thoughts.
The temperature in the clearing dropped instantly. Malakai's gaze sharpened.
'She's angry.'
It was odd. This wasn't the Aurelia he had quietly observed back at the camp.
Her appearance was still sharpened for war, that hadn't changed. But her demeanor had.
Her expression was twisted with nothing but anger. Her eyes burned as she stared him down.
"Herk!"
A groan escaped from Julius, drawing her attention for a moment. She glanced down at him, and her gaze dimmed.
And just then, Malakai saw something beyond the rage.
'She's sad…'
He was surprised.
He had never seen Aurelia and Julius interact at the camp. They had barely acknowledged each other.
But now… she looked genuinely worried.
She turned her gaze back to Malakai, fiercer than ever.
"You won. He clearly lost. Why the hell were you torturing him?"
She didn't shout this time. Her voice was sharp and clipped.
Why had he done it?
