Chapter 101. Aria’s Tears

Aria stood still, her pulse loud in her ears, her eyes fixed on the doors where her stepmother had just disappeared into.

It was only when she heard the sound of Lucien’s feet hitting the ground that she remembered how to breathe. She turned towards her mate and, once again, froze.

He was crossing the marble floors of the throne room without his usual arrogant stride. Instead, his movements were more muted, careful and deliberate, as though he didn’t want to alarm her.

His cane, a piece which she still did not understand, tapped softly with each step he took. His eyes searched hers with an expression stripped of every emotion but concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his voice laced with concern.

Aria forced herself to both smile and nod. “I’m fine,” she replied, the words sounding brittle as they left her lips.

Lucien nodded. He could tell she wasn’t, but he didn’t push. He was sure that she would tell him whenever she wanted. He kept on walk