Suddenly Selvara moved.
In a blur of wings and pale eyes she stepped directly between Aiden and Ava. The motion was sharp enough that Aiden's finger slipped from beneath Ava's chin; the contact broke with an almost audible snap of tension.
Selvara's wings flared halfway—trembling with barely-contained possessiveness—before folding tightly against her back. She spun on her heel to face Aiden fully, then threw both arms around his waist in a childish, desperate hug. Her cheek mashed against his chest, arms locking behind his back like she could physically tether him to her.
"You…!" she started—voice muffled against his shirt—then tilted her head up just enough to glare at him, cheeks flushed, pale eyes glittering with pouty indignation. "Baka… stop flirting with her."
The room went pin-drop silent for half a heartbeat.
