**Ethan’s POV

“This salmon is absolutely delicious,” Madalynn said.

She sat next to me, her body pushing against mine as she laughed at what another noblewoman was saying as if it was the most amusing thing in the world.

Outside, thunder rumbled, and a flash of lightning cast eerie shadows on the walls of the dining hall, causing the candlelight by which we dined to take on a haunting glow.

It wasn’t just the weather that was making me feel unsettled. ...