ELIANA.

"What?"

My lips parted with a soft whisper and tears welled up in my eyes as I looked back into Ivan's eyes. He sat on the bed, reaching for my hands and I just took a moment to stare in disbelief—to fully grasp everything he'd just told me all at once.

"I—" I stuttered, words stuck in my throat.

"I don't understand" I whispered. Just then, there was a knock on the door and Nathaniel walked in, head cowered low but the book firm in his hands. "This is ...