Novel's POV

I woke to the shrill cry of my alarm. When I glanced at the time, a bolt of panic shot through me I was two minutes late. I rushed through my morning routine, my heart hammering against my ribs, before heading down to the dining room where Maya had taken me the day before.

Alexei was already there. He sat in all his dark glory, illuminated by the morning sun, his gaze fixed intensely on his phone. His expression was stony, unreadable, and dangerous.

“Good morning,” I whispered, trying to catch his attention.

The moment my voice hit the air, the coldness in his features evaporated. He looked...