Chapter 99

Maeve’s POV

The words echoed in my mind as Draven’s unwavering stare pinned me in place. If I hadn’t been so certain I’d spoken them, I would have sworn he hadn’t heard. I could feel his steady breath against my face while my own heart hammered so hard it reverberated in my ears. Yet Draven remained silent. His expression was inscrutable—pain, rage, sadness, confusion, all warring beneath his calm exterior.

He closed his eyes and stepped away. I almost cried out in protest, clutching the soft fabric of my dress as he began to pace the chamber, one hand tangled in his dark hair, his eyes still shut tight.

“Draven,” I whispered, my voice unsteady, the tremor betraying my terror. I’d imagined this moment so many times—his reaction when he learned the truth—and in every scenario, it ended with us apart. Just the thought brought a hollow ache to my chest, and I could feel tears welling.

He halted mid-step and opened his amber eyes, hooded with pain as if h