Chase POV
Damon and I were deep in conversation as we walked through the dimly lit halls of the palace. The earlier meeting with the council still weighed on me, but my thoughts were already drifting back to Leila. Damon, of course, had his usual nonchalant demeanor, throwing in occasional quips that barely registered in my distracted mind.
"You know," Damon said, smirking as he tilted his head to look at me, "for someone who just put the council in their place, you don't seem all that victorious."
I grunted in response, shaking my head. "It's not about victory, Damon. I'm tired of their nonsense. Leila and Ash have been through enough. I don't need them adding to it."
He nodded, his smirk fading into something more serious. "You're right. They don't deserve it, and neither do you. But—"
