Ivy’s POVBy the time I stepped through the front doors, the air was tense.

The guards at the entrance didn’t even meet my eyes; they bowed and stepped aside, their silence saying everything I needed to know.

He knew I was gone.

Lucien was standing by the fireplace when I entered the sitting room, half-turned toward the flames. The light threw his sharp features into shadows, highlighting the anger simmering in his eyes. His jacket hung loosely from his shoulders, sleeves rolled up, knuckles ...