The moment I stepped into the hall, my eyes found him.
Draven stood near the council table, his tall frame illuminated by the fading evening light filtering through the high windows. Several documents rested in his hands, his expression calm and serious as he reviewed reports brought by the council.
The same council.
The same hall.
The same place where I had stood humiliated not long ago.
My feet suddenly felt heavier.
I couldn't bring myself to walk toward him.
Not after today.
Not after everything.
So I simply stood there.
Watching.
Waiting.
The murmurs inside the hall gradually died.
I could feel the occasional glance directed at me.
Some curious.
Some guilty.
Some awkward.
None of them comfortable.
Then Draven looked up.
His gaze found me immediately.
As if he had known exactly where I was standing all along.
Neither of us looked away.
I saw his eyes travel over my face.
The tension in my shoulders.
The stiffness in my posture.
