I was already leaning against the fireplace when the doors burst open, revealing her—Astra. She was every bit as fierce as I’d been warned. Her sharp gaze swept the room, landing on me like a blade.

Her father cleared his throat. "This is Damon, your fiancé."

She froze, then laughed—a dry, humorless sound. "Fiancé? You can’t be serious."

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my voice level. “Believe me, I didn’t sign up for this either.” Her head snapped toward me, fire in her eyes. “Then why are you here?”

“Because I don’t have the luxury of throwing tantrums,” I said evenly, watching the way her jaw tightened.

Her parents cut in before she could respond. "Enough, Astra," her mother said sharply. "The engagement is final. You’ll both marry in three months."

Without another word, they left, the heavy doors clicking shut behind them. The silence they left behind was thick, but I didn’t mind. I’ve always been comfortable in silence.

Astra, however, wasn’t. “So, that’s it? You’re just going to roll over and do what they say?”

I met her glare with a calmness I didn’t entirely feel. “What do you want me to do? Fight them? Run away? If you think you’re the first person to rage against this, you’re wrong.”

Her fists clenched at her sides, her voice trembling with fury. “I’m not you. I won’t just accept this.”

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "And what exactly are you going to do, Astra? Burn it all down? Or just pretend it’ll go away if you yell loud enough?”

Her silence was almost satisfying. Almost. I waited for her to say something, to throw another accusation, but instead, she just glared at me.

I turned away first, heading for the door. “Good luck with that,” I said over my shoulder before leaving her alone.

Whatever war she thought she was starting, I had no intention of losing.