I opened my mouth to argue, but Xade leaned in slightly, not close enough to trap me, but enough that my breath tangled in my throat.
"Next time someone hits you," he said quietly, "you tell me before anyone else."
He leaned a fraction closer. "I'm not asking."
My chest tightened. His presence felt heavier than Raiden's had, less rehearsed, and more raw.
Xade noticed it, of course. His voice dipped. "You did well today. If not better than what I saw during your audition. I'm impressed by your presence."
My lips parted. "I… thank you."
He hummed low in his throat, gaze dragging from my cheek to my mouth before he straightened.
"Come. I have something to show you."
I followed him to the viewing room—the one where they screened preview shots. He tapped the screen, and our photos began appearing in a slideshow.
Raiden dipping me, touching my jaw, and whispering near my ear.
My stomach fluttered.
