Chapter 64

Maeve’s POV

I set the last paper on the edge of the table and leaned back, every muscle screaming in protest. Hunger gnawed at my stomach as my blue eyes flicked to the window—dusk was already settling over the valley.

I pushed away from the desk, rose from my chair, and slipped out of the study, intent on finding Aria, Galen, Mason, or Ronan—our only remaining ranking warriors. But the corridors were empty. No booming footsteps, no laughter, no clank of armor. Only silence.

I caught sight of a helper in the hallway and hurried over. “Have Draven and the others returned from the council castle?” I asked.

She shook her head apologetically. They hadn’t come back yet. The meeting must be serious; they’d never taken this long. My heart clenched. Draven had seemed so gloomy this morning—an ominous sign I couldn’t shake.

My empty stomach led me to the dining hall, where I ate in near silence, thoughts twisting in my mind. Once I’d forced down a bit o