Claire's POV
I felt a pang in my heart as I turned to leave, but before I could take another step, Evander grabbed my wrist gently from behind. His touch was warm and hesitant.
"Where are you going?" he asked as his voice was soft and almost pleading. He looked at me with those wide, innocent eyes that always made me think of Eliam. "Please don't go," he added, his brows drawn together in a way that made him look heartbreakingly earnest.
"I am sorry, Evan, but I need to go," I murmured as I tried to avoid his gaze. "I have work to do in the morning." I might have said that but deep down, I didn't really want to leave—not when he looked at me like that.
His grip tightened a little but not enough to hurt me, just enough to make me stop. "Claire," he said quietly, tilting his head in that way he always did when he was confused. "You said you wanted to talk, didn't you?"
I hesitated.
