Naeris's POV

The moment the council room doors shut behind me, I let out the breath I’d been holding. My palms were still warm from gripping my skirt too tightly, my chest tight from Varek’s smug “good girl,” and Nyxion’s unreadable golden eyes.

I kept walking, my boots clicking against the polished stone floor, telling myself I wasn’t running away. I just needed air.

“Going somewhere without me?”

The voice was lazy, smooth, and already smiling before I even ...