Chapter 93

VALENTINA The council meeting seemed to pass by quite quickly. The discussions of politics, trade routes, and alliances scarcely managed to reach the barrier of focus I had constructed, as I was preoccupied with thoughts of only one person—Andres Donovan, my mate and my ruin. And then, he stepped in—King Andres Donovan. He stepped in as the king he is. And as if it's magic, the rest of the hall vanished, and my eyes could only lock on him. His presence seemed to dominate the surroundings. His stature, accentuated by the black ceremonial blazer that appeared to be crafted from shadows, was striking. The subtle silver embroidery on his collar reflected the light, yet it was his gaze—golden, profound, and directed at me, that held me captive right on the spot. It was not the look of a stranger, but it was not the look of a mate either. Something sat between us—thick, weighted, and above all, unspoken. Following my initial attempts to compose myself, the proceedings transitioned. The counc