The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74 Lines Of Fire

“I’m not used to this,” she admitted quietly. “Having someone fight for me. Everyone in my life has always used me for something. My father wanted my marriage to save his business. Xan wanted my humiliation to satisfy his revenge. But you…”

“I want you alive and safe and doing the work that makes your eyes light up when you look at those cell cultures,” Drakonius finished. “That’s all. That’s everything.”

Simon knocked softly and entered with his medical kit. Elera stood up, putting some professional distance between them while Simon did a quick check. Blood pressure was high but manageable. Nerve function in his hands was slightly worse than this morning, probably from gripping the cane so hard. Fatigue was obvious in every line of his body.

“You need rest sir,” Simon said firmly. “Real rest and not sitting up working on your tablet. Actual sleep.”

“I’m aware,” Drakonius said dryly.

“I’ll make sure he sleeps,” Elera said. “I’ll stay. Monitor him through the night.”

Simon looked between them, something knowing in his expression, but he just nodded. “Call me if anything changes. Anything at all.”

After he left, Elera helped Drakonius change into comfortable clothes and get into bed. He looked smaller somehow, more vulnerable without the armor of his suit. But his eyes were still sharp, still aware.

“You don’t have to stay,” he said. “I’m fine.”

“I know I don’t have to,” Elera said, settling into the chair beside his bed. “But I’m going to anyway. We’re partners, remember? You watched over me all day. Now it’s my turn.”

He studied her face in the firelight. “Tomorrow night is going to be harder. More people and more exposure. Are you ready for that?”

Was she? Tomorrow night she’d be standing in a room full of people who loved Raven Shadowmere’s work, who’d been trying to figure out who she was for years. She’d be accepting an award for books she’d written in secret, while pretending to be nothing more than a billionaire’s mysterious new wife. And Drakonius would be right there, hoping to catch a glimpse of his favorite author, completely unaware that he was married to her.

She opened her encrypted email, the one connected to her Raven Shadowmere identity. Her inbox was full. Interview requests. Congratulations on the award nomination. Publishers from other countries wanting translation rights. The normal chaos of being a bestselling author.

But one email stood out. It was from an address she didn’t recognize, sent just two hours ago. The subject line was simple: “I know who you are.”

Elera’s blood went cold. She opened it with shaking hands.

The message was short: “Mrs. Vex. Or should I say, Ms. Shadowmere? Congratulations on your award. I’m sure tomorrow night’s ceremony will be very revealing. A concerned friend.”

No signature. No identifying information. But the implications were clear. Someone knew. Someone had figured it out. And they were threatening to expose her.

Elera’s mind raced. Who could it be? Clara wouldn’t betray her. The publisher had strict NDAS. Her lawyer was paid too much to talk. So who?