Emerald stormed down the corridor, every footstep louder than the last. As she walked by the servants, they all turned to look at her with wide eyes, but there was nothing warm or welcoming in their gazes.
Instead, their stares felt cold and distant, like they couldn't wait for her to be gone.
She clenched her jaw.
Lucien had done this. He'd built a kingdom on fear and control and then had the audacity to bring her here and pretend it was safe. Pretend she could grow something here, trust, maybe even love.
She reached her corridor when his voice stopped her.
"Emerald, wait."
She spun around with fire in her eyes.
Lucien stood just a few feet away, breathing like he'd run after her, his expression taut with desperation.
"You have to give me a chance to explain," he said, falling into step beside her.
She halted. "I don't have to do anything."
He flinched. "Please. Just listen."
