Auren’s POV
After a while, I almost felt like I’d stumbled into a damn puzzle book one of those “spot the difference” games that made your eyes ache. Only this time, the game was trying to spot which redhead in the crowd was mine.
“I don’t usually negotiate with your kind,” Queen Elara said, her voice smooth as silk but sharp as a blade. “But perhaps I can make an exception just this once.”
I turned to face her, shock flickering across my face, but she had already turned her back and swept away, leaving me standing there like a fool.
My chest felt lighter, as though I’d just been handed a victory I didn’t expect. I wanted to throw my fist in the air and roar, but I forced myself to stay composed. There was only one person I wanted to celebrate with only one person who knew the truth. A
