The private chambers were suffocating.
Attia paced the length of the room like a caged animal, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, his jaw tight enough to crack teeth. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, his eyes blazing with a fury that made the air around him crackle with tension. Every few seconds, a low growl rumbled from deep within his throat—a sound of pure, primal rage that he could barely contain.
Lori sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, her hands clasped in her lap, her face pale and drawn. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, but she made no move to wipe them away. She felt hollow, empty, as if the Council's verdict had reached into her chest and ripped out something vital. The bond—the beautiful, sacred bond that had connected her to Attia—was still there, sti
