"I'm not provoking you," Kaiser replied without backing down. "I'm challenging you. There's a difference."
Demian stepped closer just one step, but close enough for the space between them to throb with tension. "If you still want our relationship to remain intact," Demian continued, his voice cold and controlled, "you'd better leave. Now."
Kaiser studied him, trying to read what lay beneath the anger and what he found was not fear, but control forced into place.
"A relationship?" Kaiser repeated quietly. "You speak as if that's what you're protecting."
Demian did not answer. His jaw hardened. His gaze flicked briefly toward the carriage toward the thick curtain hiding Valerie from view.
Kaiser noticed.
And for the first time, he understood: this was not about courage. It was about something Demian was unwilling to risk in front of everyone.
"Go," Demian said again, curt.
