The night breeze cut through the arena, carrying the silver light of the moon across every stone, every face. No one moved. No one even breathed. All waited for Thayne’s announcement.
“Head Consort Lirvana,” Thayne declared.
The crowd erupted in gasps. Lirvana’s lips curled into triumph.
Serena blinked. The words rang in her head like a slap. Lirvana? She won? Her chest burned with disbelief. She pushed forward, her boots scraping against the stone floor until she stood directly in front of Kaelen’s throne.
“You clearly liked my food better!” Her voice cracked sharply across the silence. “Stop playing games and tell this—this talking man that I won so I can have my wish!”
The arena roared with horrified whispers. Gasps sliced the air.
Did she just….? She spoke to the King like that?
