The estate did not sleep that night.
Elara sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress. The walls around her were silent, but she knew silence did not mean safety. Outside the door, footsteps moved in steady patterns. Guards. Shadows. Protection.
Or surveillance.
Her mind replayed Adrian’s words over and over.
You are at the center of it.
She did not know which thought scared her more. The enemies who wanted her, or the man who refused to let her go.
The door opened softly.
Adrian stepped inside.
His sleeves were rolled up. There was a faint trace of blood on his knuckles. Not enough to alarm, but enough to notice.
“You should be resting,” he said.
Elara stood immediately. “Was anyone hurt?”
“No.”
She studied his face. “You are not telling the whole
