The doors shut behind them. Damien inhaled sharply, and without hesitation he pulled Luna against him. His arms wrapped her up, his mouth pressing against her hair. He knew. He fucking knew. He felt every ripple of her pain through their bond as if it were his own. He had been there before—writhing in torment at seeing her with Kyllian. He had lived the taste of rejection, the helpless burn of watching her lean toward someone else while his whole body howled for her. And now the cycle had twisted, cruelly giving Luna that same poison. Damien's grip tightened as though he could squeeze the jealousy out of her, his lips grazing the curve of her ear as he murmured, "I love you, YOU."
Luna wanted to be strong, above such pettiness, but gods, it burned. "I hate that it hurts," she whispered. "I hate that she has your mark."
"I know."
*****
