Chapter 83
Nikolai’s POV
I wished I could shield her from all of this. From the whispers, the fear in people’s eyes, and the weight of power that was never meant to be hers alone.
I had always known Ella was special. From the first moment I met her as Nuel, I sensed something different. But now, after the tournament, the whole academy saw it too. And instead of admiration, all she got was doubt and suspicion.
I wanted to tell her how proud I was. That her power wasn’t something to be ashamed of. That she wasn’t alone.
But most of all, I wanted to get Damon away from her.
I had seen the way he looked at her before, back when she was just another student, just another opponent in his eyes. He had been intrigued by her—maybe even fond of her in his own way. But the moment she unleashed
