Chapter 81
Ophelia had been pacing the long hallway for almost ten minutes, her heels tapping against the marble as she searched. Mack wasn’t in his chambers, nor had she seen him in the gardens where he usually disappeared to when he needed air. Her pulse ticked with impatience, her instincts telling her he was deliberately avoiding her.
Finally, a soft murmur from the east wing caught her attention. Voices. She followed carefully, her steps light, and her brows shot up when she peeked around the corner.
Mack was there, seated in a dimly lit alcove with his mother leaning in close. They spoke in hushed tones, words Ophelia couldn’t make out. His posture was tense, his jaw stiff, as if whatever they were discussing weighed heavily on him. His mother, on the other hand, looked firm, reso
