Elara's POV
She takes her gown off, and he sits watching her as though it's a paid performance.
He doesn't just watch her take her gown off—he enjoys the view. In that moment, he sees it above everything else, above what he's claimed we share.
My blood boils, my eyes dart in every direction, unfocused. My fingers clench too tight that I fear they'll start cutting into my palms.
"Elara!" he calls me.
But my feet move too fast.
If I stay one second longer looking at them, my eyes won't be able to hold the tears that would flow out. And she would laugh. Lyra would laugh. The mate bond would be a total joke to her.
What if everything she told me about Cassian and her is true after all?
"Elara!"
I don't turn back to look at him. He's such a horrible liar for making me believe he no longer has anything to do with Lyra.
My hands start to shake, and tears drop down my cheeks, reminding me of Liam's betrayal. At least she isn't watching me cry.
"Elara!" he calls again.
