Chapter 38

HAZEL

I walked across the ballroom, not seeing anyone other than Emanuel and Iliana. Her chest pushed out when she drew a sharp breath watching me fight my way through the crowd. Her brown eyes turned round as they glimmered like a hundred diamonds and she reached out her arms.

“Hazel, oh thank the gods.”

We embraced in a hug that felt like it would never end. I wouldn’t mind if it didn’t.

“I was so worried about you,” she whispered. Iliana moved her head, her hands tightened around me and I felt her heart beating manically. Her hold wasn’t entirely out of love and worry, there was something desperate in the way that she clambered onto me and didn’t let go. Something frightening made her hold on, and I wasn’t going to let her go. I wanted her to feel safe with me.

“Do you know why I’m here?” Her voice was barely a whisper, I only heard certain words and had to puzzle the others in on my own.

Trixy was with me, eagerly awaiting an expiation and whe