“Elene!” Elora and Lydia screamed when they spotted her, just half a second after entering the room. Before anyone could stop them, they sprinted toward her with arms wide open. Elene dropped to one knee and caught them as they threw themselves at her, giggling happily. She realized she had missed them—even their annoying habit of asking a million questions per hour, especially their favorite: Why? Why? Why? Marden’s mansion had been too quiet without them, and seeing their bright, grinning faces dispersed the gloomy thoughts that had weighed on her mind.
“You’ve grown fatter, princess,” Elene said, pinching Elora’s cheek. Elora stepping back with a gasp of indignation.
“I have not!” she retorted. “And you… you… grew taller!” she added, grimacing when she realized it wasn’t much of an in
