Elara His sister, his elder sister—the words resound in my head. My husband is calm and at peace. " I didn't know you had a sister," I say gently. He sighs and gulps his drink. " Her name is Eloise. You remind me of her," he says, scowling. Eloise, I practice her name on my tongue. " Reminds you of me?" " Yes. She's fierce, stubborn... Stubborn," I smile as he continues to point out our similarities. " Are you two close?" I ask. " We used to be," Zuriel signals for the waiter to come, and he does. He asked for a more potent drink. The waiter leaves, and I stare at my husband, waiting for him to tell me more. After a moment of silence, he continues. " Eloise was my biggest bully, yet my strongest defender. She protected me from my father's harsh punishment," His father. Zurie

