Ellie POV
I heard Cassian curse before I even noticed Nolan. When I lifted my eyes, the sound of heavy footfalls pounding toward me was drowned out completely by the thundering of my own heart.
And then he was there.
Stormy eyes locked on mine, Nolan’s grip closed around my upper arms—strong, but not painful. Cassian caught him immediately, trying to pull him back, but Nolan didn’t move, rooted to the sidewalk as if glued in place.
I couldn’t speak at first, stunned not only by his sudden appearance but by the frantic look in his eyes. The way he held me, desperate, unwilling to look away—even as Cassian tried to reason with him.
“Ellie,” he breathed again. His voice shook with disbelief. “You’re okay. You’re really all right.”
The sound made my chest ache. I had heard from Lance and
