Eliana POV
The empty room in the council hall was louder than the scream. There I was, breathing in and out, each time trying to force the air down in spite of feeling like there was ash rushing in and permeating my lungs.
Standing by my side was Alexander, with his fist clenched to the side. The anger was hot, like a storm, which is about to break, on him. He had his jaw set, and his eyes were dark with the sort of anger which in the past had often preceded bloodshed.
But I couldn’t let him erupt. Not now.
The vote had ended in chaos—divided voices, angry shouts, and frightened whispers. There had been no clear answer, no firm decision. Just a dangerous rift splitting deeper across the room.
Exile me… or strip him of his title.
That was what they’d come here for. That was what the E
