(Lina)
As soon as I tucked my phone back into my pocket, my mind was focused on one thing—getting this recording to the royal court. I had finally exposed Elara's plot; every threat and lie she'd spat out was now captured and ready to end her little game. It felt like a victory I'd been waiting for far too long.
I barely made it around the corner before I saw Nicholas marching toward me, his eyes blazing with fury. His jaw was clenched so tight it looked like it might crack. I didn't flinch, but I could feel the tension rolling off him, practically ready to explode.
Before I had a chance to react, he stopped in front of me, blocking my path. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Isabella?" He snarled. His voice was low and controlled, but I could feel the anger seething beneath every word. "Hurting, Elara? Do you have any idea what you're messing with?"
