SELIN'S POV.
We didn't speak much. Words felt fragile after everything. But I could feel him, his presence, his attention, every step of the way. His thumb brushed the side of my hand occasionally, grounding, careful, like he was still testing whether touching me would undo the world.
When the castle finally came into view, tall and dark against the morning sky, my chest tightened. Fear tried to creep back in…memories of the queen, the council, the way everyone looked at me like I was something strange. Draven noticed immediately.
He slowed, then turned to me. "You don't have to go inside yet."
I shook my head. "I'm not running again."
Something in his expression broke open at that. Relief—maybe pride. Something dangerously close to affection.
"I'll walk you in," he said.
