Lucian's POV
*****
"You were too hard on him. You know that, right?" Beta Axel told him for the umpteenth time when they stepped out of Lord Kyren's palace.
Lucian's expression was stoic but deep down, he was still livid after Elian's little stunt at the training hall.
Yes, he was certain it was some stunt. The pattern of previous things Elian has pulled was too obvious to ignore.
But the fact that Elian was willing to risk his own life for a prank or whatever it was he was up to was... Infuriating.
But aside from his anger, there was also this weird ache in his chest when he realised he had left Elian under the care of Kyren while the killer behind his spy's death was still out there.
His footsteps were crisp against the red sand outside, the sunlight peeking through the ashen clouds a sign that it was still daylight.
