Elodie's POV
The hardest part about pretending was remembering who I was pretending for. That was the thought that kept circling through my mind as I walked through the palace gardens beside Damon. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the stone pathways in gold. A few weeks ago I would have welcomed the chance to leave my room without guards hovering at my shoulder. I would have enjoyed the flowers, the fresh air, the freedom.
Now every step felt calculated. Every smile felt practiced. Every conversation felt dangerous. Because now I knew something I hadn't known before. Nathan might be right. The thought refused to leave me alone. At first I had dismissed it. Poison sounded dramatic.
Impossible. Something that belonged in stories, not real life. Then I started paying attention. The he
