Elena
*****Guest House Corridor — Hours later*****
The hallway was dim and quiet, lit only by the amber glow of lanterns hanging on each wooden pillar. The twins had finally fallen asleep in the next room after hours of chaos, laughter, and Lucian’s unending grumbling.
Lucian stood a few feet away from me, arms crossed, leaning on the wall like he owned the entire building. His eyes were hardened, still sharp with the irritation Chase had caused him all evening.
Chase lingered on the opposite end of the corridor, trying not to look threatening, trying not to step too close. His shoulders were tense, his expression pulled into that same complicated look I’d seen forming all night, regret, longing, fear, restraint.
The silence between the three of us was too tight. One wrong breath and
