Forest:
The sun had barely crested the trees when I slipped into the quiet hallway, past the guards, past the tension. The Queen had already met with Hattie. I could smell her lingering scent in the council room—the cold silk of power and old magic. And beneath it… something softer.
Hattie’s scent. Still warm. Still glowing.
I should’ve gone to her sooner. After the fight. After the cell. To check on her. But I couldn’t.
Because Stella was waiting.
And that had to come first. Or at least… that’s what I told myself.
She was in our room, perched at the edge of the bed, her back straight, arms crossed over her stomach. Her dark hair was pulled into a braid that looked like it had been redone three times too tight, and her foot tapped against the floor, fast and impatient.
She looked up
