VIOLET’S POV
The world around me shook like a drum struck too hard.
I stared at Merrin, confused, desperate, trying to understand what was happening.
Why is Queen Helena holding that metal crest? Why is everyone staring at me as if I didn’t belong on the same ground as them?
I wanted to ask Merrin what was going on, but my throat locked. Instead, I looked at him pleadingly, silently begging him to stop his mother.
For a heartbeat, he seemed torn… but then his expression hardened. He didn’t even look at me when he spoke.
“Didn’t you hear my mother, Violet?” His voice was deep, cold, merciless.
“Kneel.”
The words sliced straight through me.
I couldn’t breathe.
And then Queen Helena’s command slammed back into my skull like a slap.
KNEEL.
My knees hit the floor so fast the stone b
