CHAPTER 47: Fractured allegiance

LIORA'S POV

“Where are you coming from?”

I halted abruptly, my heart pounding as though it had skipped a beat. Sneaking around had never been my forte; Anakiyus had always been one step ahead, and tonight was no different. His presence here, waiting in the shadows, confirmed he’d been searching for me.

I turned slowly, my breath catching as I faced him. Nas, standing across the room, flashed an awkward smile that did little to ease the tension.

“Anakiyus,” I said, forcing a polite tone, though my pulse quickened. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, but I must be going now.”

As I moved to slip past him towards my room, his voice cut through the air like a blade. “Don’t you dare make a move, young miss.”

The stern command made me freeze, my hand halfway to the door leading upstairs. The flickering light from the nearby lamp cast sharp shadows across his face, highlighting the intensity in his eyes.

It was as if I could almost feel the weight of Anakiyus's disapproval pressing do