Chapter 27

Jaxon POV

I sat there in silence, on the edge of the chair beside her bed, letting the sound of her breathing ground me. Rhythmic, slow… peaceful. How long had it been since I sat still like this? Since I wasn’t preoccupied with political alliances, border patrols, or the demands of my title?

Elvira shifted slightly in her sleep, her hair a dark halo against the pillow, one hand loosely curled over the sheets. Her presence was comforting even in sleep. I could feel her pulling at the part of me I had buried deep, the part I’d sealed off long before she ever came here.

I exhaled slowly, trying to steady the shake in my hands, and leaned forward slightly until there were only inches between us.

“So… about the festival,” I said quietly, not sure if she was fully awake, just stirring, or pretending to be asleep to avoi