Elara's POV
Velora stays silent all through the walk from Marek's house, but she doesn't stop holding my hand, as though I'm going to wonder off the moment she does not.
She has a lot to say, but she doesn't say a word. Maybe she decides it's not the right time to start her usual sermons about not believing a single word from Cassian.
"Stop." She suddenly halts, pulling me back.
"Cassian?"
He stands at the entrance of his palace, his eyes on us like he's been waiting for us to show up at this exact moment, a few hours before dawn.
A cold chill crawls up my spine. My leg freezes. Velora's hand tightens around mine.
"Let's turn back," I mutter.
She shakes her head. "He's already watching us."
And his eyes on us… it's the same intense gaze from the first time he met me in my room—or maybe even stronger. At this moment, I can feel his gaze on my skin, like fingertips tracing their way over me. But the feeling that comes with it is more than just familiarity.
