Vaelen's POV~
The moment I led her out of that cursed room, I could still feel the weight of every stare burning into my back. My aura hadn't settled yet. But I didn't care. All I could think of was the girl trembling beside me.
Serena.
Her breathing was uneven. Every few steps, she stumbled, her small hands clutching at my sleeve as if she feared she might vanish if she let go.
I tightened my arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer as we walked through the long corridor toward a calm place.
The guards we passed lowered their eyes. No one dared to speak. Good. Because if anyone even whispered a word about what happened, I would have silenced them on the spot.
When we reached my quarters, I shut the door softly behind us. The silence that followed was almost unbearable. She stood there, shaking, her face pale and streaked with tears.
"Sit," I said quietly.
