Chapter 76

LUCIAN’S POV I stood in the doorway, watching her quietly. The moment Elora opened the boxes, the way her gasp cut through me was sharper than any blade. She froze, staring at the painting like they weren't real. Then her fingers trembled as she touched them, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. She's crying. Damn it. That was the last thing I wanted. I had bid against her on purpose. I needed her to stop straining herself, to stop looking so desperate in front of that hall full of Vultures. If anyone was going to have those items, it would be me—and then her. That way she'd smile again. That way she'd know she has me. And she doesn't have to spend her own money on such things when she has me. But seeing her like this…broken in instead of being happy…it tore me apart. I finally stepped in. The floor creaked under my shoes and she stiffened. Her head jerked toward me, her eyes laced with tears. She wiped her face quickly, like she could erase what I'd seen. Then she stood and it burned