[Ayla’s POV]I wait for Barren’s response to my rejection, but when a smile forms on his lips, I know that he isn’t taking it seriously."I should expect no less from you," he chuckles, giving me a look of adoration. "I’m well aware of your defense mechanism to avoid being hurt. For now, I’ll allow you to remain angry with me, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up.""You might as well," I sigh, my annoyance flaring ever so slightly. "No matter what you do, I won’t..."I don’t get to finish my sentence as dazzlingly bright light flashes in my eyes, causing me to reflexively shut them, and when they open once more, I’m staring up at a face I didn’t want to see even more than Barren’s."Morning," Aera chirps, smirking. "Glad that you could join us in the waking world.""What the hell?" I hiss, attempting to move but stopping as pain shoots through me. "Fuck, I feel like I’ve been hit by a Mac truck.""Not quite," Aera offers. "But you did take a pretty nasty fall.""Fall?" I repeat,
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