Reina’s POV
The palace carried a different air the day Reina returned from the royal clinic. Her body was weak from the storm of her heat, her steps careful as she moved through the marble corridors, but something in the air made her pause. This was not the quiet homecoming she expected. Servants hurried in groups, their arms filled with flowers, silks, trays of golden wine goblets. Guards stood taller at their posts, their armor gleaming more than usual. Even the nobles who normally carried their gossip in secret now lingered openly in corners, whispering with excitement.
Reina’s wolf stirred uneasily inside her. Something is wrong, it whispered. Something is happening.
At first Reina thought perhaps her father had called a council, but the atmosphere was too festive for that. Torches
