Aveline walked through the corridors with indignation simmering beneath her skin, each step sharp with restrained anger. She had known from the beginning that Aelion wanted something from her. The shadows around him had already told her that much.
But spreading rumors that she was his "marked" one? That crossed a line she had never given him permission to cross.
The whispers had followed her for days now, which she didn't know, but now that she knew, she could hear them slithering through hallways and classrooms alike.
Lord Sylvarien's girl.
His marked one.
Protected by him.
Claimed by him.
Every word scraped against her nerves until she felt raw inside. She hated how people looked at her now, with curiosity sharpened by gossip, as though she had become some entertaining little secret for them to pick apart.
