The Mirrors reflection

Shadows Between Us

Elowyn's stomach twisted as the air shifted around her. The presence of Aiden seemed to carry with it a weight she couldn't quite place—a mix of curiosity, allure, and an unsettling edge. Felix's glare burned into her side, his posture stiff as Aiden approached with the same unhurried, almost predatory grace that had marked their earlier encounter.

"Back so soon?" Felix's voice was low, laced with frustration. He crossed his arms, his body positioning itself protectively in front of Elowyn as if blocking some invisible threat.

Aiden didn't seem fazed by Felix's hostility. He merely smiled, a small, knowing smirk that only deepened the tension in the room. "I couldn't stay away," Aiden said smoothly, his eyes flicking toward Elowyn in a way that made her pulse quicken. "I told Elowyn I'd see her later. I don't break promises."

Elowyn swallowed hard, her gaze bouncing between the two men. Felix stood tense beside her, his fists clenched, while Aiden's relaxed demeanor only seemed to sharpen the unspoken rivalry between them. The energy in the room buzzed, thick and electric, making it hard for her to focus.

"You didn't have to come back," Felix muttered, his voice tight. "She's got enough on her plate without distractions."

Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained. "I'm not a distraction, Felix." His voice was low, a soft challenge. "I'm just here to make sure she's doing okay."

Before Felix could respond, Elowyn stepped forward, trying to cut through the tension. "It's fine, Felix," she said quickly, her heart racing. "I'll talk to Aiden for a minute. Maybe he can help with the setup."

Felix looked at her, eyes wide with disbelief. "El, you don't need his help. I've been here all day—"

"I know," she interrupted, her voice softer, trying to placate him. "And I appreciate it. But I'll be fine, okay? Just give us a few minutes."

For a long moment, Felix didn't move. His eyes darted between her and Aiden, his frustration clear. But eventually, with a resigned sigh, he turned away. "Fine," he muttered, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'll be over there if you need me."

Elowyn watched Felix walk toward the back of the gallery, guilt gnawing at her. She knew he was only trying to protect her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she needed to understand about Aiden—something that pulled at her in a way that felt impossible to ignore.

Once Felix was out of earshot, Aiden stepped closer, his presence once again drawing her in like a magnet. His dark eyes gleamed with something she couldn't quite place—something both dangerous and enticing.

"I didn't mean to cause trouble," Aiden said softly, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver down her spine. "But you look like you could use a break."

Elowyn blinked, trying to shake off the haze that seemed to settle over her every time he was near. "I... I've just been really busy with the gallery," she stammered. "It's a lot to prepare for."

"I can imagine," he said, his eyes scanning the paintings that lined the walls. "But you've done an incredible job. Your work... it's powerful."

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. "Thank you," she said quietly, glancing away, trying to ignore the way his gaze made her feel so exposed. "I just want everything to be perfect."

Aiden stepped closer, his presence like a shadow folding around her. "Perfection is overrated," he murmured. "What matters is the emotion behind the art. And you... Elowyn, you pour your soul into every stroke. People will feel that. They'll *see* you."

The sincerity in his voice was overwhelming, and for a moment, all the worries and doubts she'd been carrying melted away. He understood her work in a way that very few did—maybe in a way no one else could. It was as though he could see right through her, right into the darkness she often tried to hide. And yet, instead of recoiling, he seemed to revel in it, as if her pain and her fears only made her more fascinating.