Darius suddenly shot up from his chair, the heavy wooden seat scraping loudly across the floor and nearly tipping over as he slammed both hands on the long meeting table.
The sound echoed through the grand hall. Everyone froze. Elara’s three brothers tensed immediately, their protective postures shifting as they moved closer to her.
“I can’t do this,” Darius said, voice rough and strained. His golden-brown eyes were locked on Elara with desperate intensity. “I can’t sit here pretending we’re discussing alliances when all I want is to speak to you. Alone. Just you and me, Elara. Please.”
Thorne, with his silver-streaked dark hair and commanding presence, stood up slowly, placing a steady hand on Elara’s shoulder. “You don’t get to demand anything from her. Not after what you did.”
Kael,
