t the woman, then at Kael, my mind struggling to connect the pieces. Th

e gave the woman a polite, distan

eeping over my simple dress with dismissal. It was the same col

before turning and getting back int

n my ears. I felt Kael's hand on my

's go," he

hat this was a misunderstanding. But his eyes were guarded. The trust

spered, the word

e low and urgent. "It's not what you

ay, my mind numb. The walk back was silent. Every promise

Lyra's words echoed

there, looking perfectly at ease, a cruel smirk on her face. "Or did you really think a man like Kael

ed to me. He has been for years. Our marriage will unite the two most power

ith him, crumbled to dust. I was a fool. A

, his voice sharp. He stepped be

etter she hears it now." She gave me one last look of triumph bef

couldn't decipher. "Elara, she's trying to provoke y

ied," I said, my voice shakin

ed, stepping closer. "Telling you wo

y breath. I cried out, clutching my heart. It was the Soul-Link. A wave of a

pale. He caught me as my knees buckled, his

k until the worst of the wave passed, leaving me weak and trembling. How could he cause me this much

his eyes dark with worry.

mind a storm of con

. He stood alone in the darkness, clutching his own chest. His face, no longer a calm mask, was twisted in a g

ut a hidden vial of dark liquid. H

r emotions... I can't control it anymore." His eyes were no longer those of a calm pr