Evelyn’s POV

The room went cold in an instant. One second, I was lying in Gideon’s arms, warm and safe. The next, the air turned sharp. Bitter. Like winter had crept in through the walls.

I sat up slowly, the blanket slipping off my shoulders. The candles were gone—snuffed out. Just like that.

Total silence.

Then… a whisper.

“You broke the rules, Gideon.”

I flinched. The voice wasn’t loud. It wasn’t ...