Maelis POV

“Stay. Please,” Lucian begged, his voice thick with a vulnerability I had rarely ever heard from him.

I paused, my fingers hovering over the cold metal of the doorknob. Even though everything was happening all at once, and I genuinely believed I needed some space to get my own thoughts together, and to let him gather his, I really couldn't help but turn back to him.

“Lucian…” I trailed off, looking at his face.

He was laughing. But it wasn't a genuine laugh, the kind you'd see from someone who just landed their dream job. It was a hollow, bitter sound. The laugh of a completely broken man....