#Chapter 50: Surprise

Evelyn The council room was colder than I expected. Despite my years growing up just down the hall, I had never been inside. There had been no need to. Until now. Maybe the chill I felt was just my nerves. But throughout the space, the air was heavy with polished formality, the kind of weight that came from centuries of power simmering in the stone walls. Oil lamps flickered overhead, casting long shadows across the ornate table where the council sat with parchment and maps spread sporadically across the surface. Most people were already there when I arrived. Including Logan. He turned at the sound of the doors opening, his eyes landing on me before widening. I hadn’t told him I would be there, and I imagined that my presence was a special kind of shock for him. His wife arriving unannounced. He stood instinctively. I gave him a faint, neutral nod before walking further into the room. His eyes followed, gaping at me. Everyone was staring. I didn’t blame them. I