Chapter 33. Tension

Madison’s POV

His cold and loud bellow sent an icy shiver across my spine, making me flinch as I cowered back in fear. Heat seeped to my cheeks, not from the usual shyness and embarrassment, but from the sting of humiliation and disgrace.

I blinked rapidly, trying very hard to hold back the tears on the verge of falling. A part of me knew that I could not cry, not in the presence of so many eyes.

My shoulder trembled, as I tried to keep my posture straight.

An elder snorted, before murmuring pretentiously, “If you do not have anything to say, then keep quiet.”

“In all sense, women are not supposed to be in this gathering.” Another one uttered drily.

But I just stood still, without saying a word. Not that I wanted to resort to decorum, but that I could not bring myself to part my lips.

Raymond stood frozen on the same spot, and even as the elders left one after each other, I could still feel his presence.

Having in mind that he w