The palace corridors were unnervingly quiet.
Not because they were empty.
Because everyone lowered their voices whenever Aria and I walked past.
Some stared.
Others quickly looked away.
It wasn't curiosity.
It was fear.
"The archives are this way," Aria said without meeting my eyes.
Her voice was polite.
Carefully controlled.
Like every word had been rehearsed.
I folded my hands behind my back as we descended an ancient spiral staircase carved into the mountain beneath the palace.
"I've been meaning to ask."
She didn't slow her pace.
"Ask."
"Why did you threaten to sever our bond?"
Her steps faltered for the briefest second.
"You should forget it."
"I can't."
"You have to."
"I've spent twenty-five years burying people I love," I said quietly. "Forgetting isn't something
