Selene's POV After Theo left, the guards didn't rush me out. They gave me a moment, just enough to stand on my own without being ordered. I knew it wasn't kindness. It felt more like observation, like they were waiting to see what I would do without being told. So I stood. Slowly, carefully, I pushed myself up from the chair. The pain in my side was still there, but it didn't control me anymore. I steadied myself before taking a step forward. "Ready?" the male guard asked. His voice was neutral, but not cold. I nodded once. They led me out of the room, and this time, the path was different. I noticed it before I saw anything—the movement, the presence, the low murmur of voices somewhere ahead. We weren't avoiding the court this time. We were walking straight

