The morning sun had barely touched the mansion when a subtle unease settled over it, like a shadow stretching across the gilded halls. Elara moved through the drawing room, her footsteps quiet on the polished floors, yet her mind was anything but calm. The world outside their private sanctuary seemed to pulse with unseen whispers, and though nothing had yet reached her ears, she could feel the first tremors of a storm.
Adrian was already awake, standing by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. His sharp profile was etched in the golden light, but his eyes betrayed an unusual tension. Normally composed and unshakable, he now seemed aware of a threat that demanded both vigilance and strategy.
“Elara,” he said without turning, his voice low but carrying an edge that made her st
