Nathan’s POV
My fingers dug into the armrest of my throne, the sharp press of my nails against the wood grounding me as I watched Nicole enter the throne room. Her steps were unsteady, her face pale as though the very weight of the world was on her shoulders. The fear in her eyes made my chest tighten. She did not belong here, not like this, not standing accused of something she did not do.
I felt a surge of guilt clawing at me. I should have seen this coming. If I had handled the problem with Alexandra and Jake sooner, none of this would have happened. Nicole would not be here, trembling in front of the council, being looked at as a murderer.
And then it happened. Nicole tripped. The soft sound of her foot catching on the hem of her dress echoed louder in my ears than it should have.
