Elara
My heart instantly tensed as Asher’s last statement made all the surrounding eyes turn to us. All around me, the whispers of the skeptical crowd seemed to close in, like vultures swarming a dying rabbit.
I could feel my palms growing clammy, my face becoming hot. I needed to escape. Without a second thought, I let go of Alaric’s hand and made my way toward the grand double doors of the ballroom.
The moment I stepped outside, the cool night air enveloped me, offering a brief respite from the stifling atmosphere inside.
I leaned against the brick wall and took a deep breath, letting the crisp scent of pine and the distant murmur of the city calm my racing heart. “Get it together, Elara,” I whispered to myself, wrapping my arms around my waist.
After a few moments,
