Serena
I closed the door behind the guards and leaned into it like I could hold the world out just by standing still.
The apartment was quiet — too quiet.
Ma had finally gone to lie down, after spending all morning watching Ari like she could will his lungs to keep breathing. He was asleep again now, curled against his stuffed wolf, cheeks still pale, but his fever was low. The poison was leaving his system.
He was healing.
But I wasn’t.
I walked into the kitchen and stared at the tray still sitting on the counter — the leftover honeycakes from last night. Untouched. I’d been too busy watching Ari laugh and twirl to notice who was offering what. Too hopeful to think that even in this place, danger could still sneak through silver platters and servant smiles.
I gripped the edge of th
