CHAPTER 27

The moment Eva laid eyes on the couple, everything around her seemed to fade away. Time slowed. Sound fell away. Her heart stopped, then began to pound so loud she could hear it in her ears. The man and woman standing at the edge of the crowd weren’t just beautiful—they radiated something more. Power. Grace. Authority. They had this kind of quiet strength that silenced the entire courtyard.  Eva felt warmth in her chest, spreading to her limbs. Her breath hitched. Her knees weakened. She stumbled slightly. Zoe instantly reached out and held her arm.  “It’s okay,” she whispered.  Eva didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her eyes remained locked on the couple before her. The woman’s hands trembled at her sides. Her lips parted.  “It’s her.” the woman whispered as she looked at Eva.  And then she moved. The woman rushed forward with tears glistening in her eyes. Her steps were unsteady, like she’d been dreaming of this moment and still couldn’t believe it was real. Eva didn’t back away.