Elara’s legs gave out the moment she stood up from her chair.
She caught herself on the edge of the long table, nearly knocking over a glass of wine. The entire hall went silent as hundreds of eyes turned toward her. The grand assembly room felt smaller, hotter, suffocating.
Darius stood at the front on the raised platform, looking tall and commanding in his dark suit, raven hair perfectly styled, golden-brown eyes avoiding hers completely.
“Darius…” Elara whispered, gripping the table harder as she forced herself to walk toward him. Her heels clicked loudly on the marble floor with every step.
He finally looked at her. For a second, something flickered across his face, but then it disappeared.
The elders sat in a row beside him, watching like hawks.
Lira stood near the front, one ha
