The sun was rising by the time Elara stopped crying.
No one mentioned it.
No one rushed her.
Some grief deserved patience.
The people of Black Hollow slowly returned to their homes.
The stars faded.
The Seventh Archive remained open above the mountains, quiet and watchful.
The throne pulsed softly.
Present.
Always present.
Midnight, Kael, Elara, the Keeper, the Librarian, the First Queen, and Seraphine gathered in the council chamber as dawn painted the windows gold.
No one touched the coffee.
That alone told Midnight how serious things were.
Elara sat with both hands wrapped around a mug she'd forgotten to drink from.
She looked exhausted.
And younger than she had the night before.
Like finally stopping had allowed her to remember she was only twenty.
The First Queen sat
