{Lisa’s POV}

I kissed him because nothing else seemed to carry everything I felt. The room blurred for a second, applause folding over us like warm hands, and when Ronan pressed his forehead to mine I felt the tension leave him.

His breath evened, his fingers tightened around mine, and for a moment the world narrowed to the two of us and a quiet sense of relief I had not allowed myself to own until then.

The Elder blew a whistle and the band I didn't even notice struck up, waiters threading through clusters of people with trays. It was almost shocking how quickly they went from the chaos of...