Book 2: Chapter 53:

It feels like a dream, the way we glide to the stage in utter silence swimming in the stifling tension between us. My hands sweat, and my pulse races as we climb the stairs and he turns me to face him. Xadner smiles, but it’s not a true smile that says everything is going to be alright. It’s tight and filled with anger reserved especially for me.

In order to escape his gaze, I look out at the cro