"Excuse us."
Ravien's voice cut through the moment—not loud, but final.
Before anyone could respond—
He stepped forward.
And took Aveline's hand.
It wasn't rough.
It wasn't forceful.
But it was firm.
Decisive.
Like a man who didn't ask twice.
Aveline's breath hitched softly as he pulled her just enough to create distance between her and Lucian.
Not far.
Just enough.
But the message was clear.
"Ravien—" Lucian's voice hardened.
Ravien didn't even look back.
"Relax," he said calmly. "I'm just talking."
But nothing about this felt just anything.
Aveline's heart was racing now.
She should've pulled away.
Should've stopped this.
Should've said something.
But she didn't.
Because his hand around hers—
It wasn't painful.
It wasn't controlling.
But it was… grounding.
Warm.
Strong.
And dangerously steady.
He led her toward the quieter side of the hall, away from the crowd, away from the noise.
And only when they were alone—
Did he let go.
The absence of his touch felt… noticeable.
Too noticeable.
Aveline looked up at him, her expression calm—but her eyes… searching.
"You shouldn't have done that," she said softly.
Ravien stepped closer.
Not enough to invade.
But enough to shift the air between them.
"And yet," he replied quietly, "you didn't stop me."
Her breath faltered.
Just slightly.
"That doesn't mean I agree with you," she said, her voice steadier now.
A faint smile touched his lips.
Not mocking.
Not soft.
But knowing.
"No," he said, his gaze locking onto hers, "it means you're curious."
Silence.
Heavy.
Charged.
Aveline held his gaze.
She should've looked away.
Should've created distance.
But she didn't.
"Who are you?" she asked finally.
Ravien studied her for a moment.
As if deciding how much to reveal.
Then—
"Someone you should stay away from."
Her brows softened slightly.
"Then why are you here?"
That question—
It lingered.
Because even Ravien knew—
There was no logical answer.
He stepped closer again.
This time just enough that she could feel it.
His presence.
His warmth.
His control.
"Because," he said quietly, his voice lower now, almost a murmur—
"…you walked into my world today."
Aveline's heart pounded.
"That orphanage isn't your world."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"No," he said.
Then softer—
"But you are."
The words weren't loud.
But they hit.
Aveline took a small step back now, her breath uneven for the first time.
"That's not how this works," she whispered.
Ravien tilted his head slightly.
Studying her.
Understanding her.
"That's exactly how it works," he said.
✨
She belonged to a world of light.
He ruled a world of darkness.
But standing this close—
Neither of them could pretend they didn't feel it anymore. 🖤🔥