From her vantage point on the staircase, Emilia watched as Raymond held his ground against Elders Callum and Elias. Her heart swelled with love as he argued with them . Watching him stand up to them, knowing he was doing it for her as much as for himself, filled her with an unexpected pride.

But as the Elders left, muttering among themselves, a thread of doubt began to tug at her. Raymond had made his intentions clear tonight, yet she knew the Council wouldn’t back down easily. Elder Elias’s face had practically twisted with rage, and she could almost hear him plotting his next move.

Emilia walked back to her...