Cambrik’s legs felt weak. She leaned slightly against the arm of the chair, trying to keep her composure, but every muscle was taut, her body trembling with the strain of a secret she’d held close for so long.
Her mind whirled, her thoughts racing back to the day she’d fled her family and everything she knew, forced into hiding as her family’s name had been dragged into scandal, danger, and ruin.
In a single day, her world had crumbled, leaving her vulnerable, grasping for a lifeline. Marrying Otthen had been that lifeline. The Neor name had given her security, a chance to remain hidden, even if it had come at the cost of her own freedom.
Solen took a small step closer, his gaze steady, filled with an understanding that made her chest ache. “Don’t worry,” he said softly, his voice war
