Diana's POV,,,
I sat in my quarters long after the council meeting ended, staring at the wall as Ryan's words echoed in my mind. "I stand with Diana." Five words that had shattered everything I thought I knew about him, about us, about the choices people were capable of making.
The shock hadn't worn off. Part of me was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Ryan to take it back or reveal some hidden agenda. After five years of believing he was capable of anything for power, watching him throw away political safety to defend me felt surreal.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called, expecting Mira or perhaps one of the guards.
Instead, Damian peeked around the door, his small face serious. "Mama? Are you sad?"
I managed a smile, opening my arms for him. "Just th
