Auren POV
“The evening, Ms. Velmont. Dance. Eat. Get to know your people they are eager to know you,” Queen Elara proclaimed. Then, with a casual flick of her fingers toward Riven, she dismissed us as though we were nothing more than pieces on her board.
Riven straightened instantly, bowing his head before crossing the space between us. He extended his hand toward Lorien with a charming smile.
“Since you’ve already enjoyed your first dance, I would be honored to claim the second.”
Lorien hesitated, her hand resting on my hip for one small, grounding moment. Then she lifted her chin, slid her palm away from me, and placed it into his.
Watching her walk away felt like something inside me was rotting.
Olyssia stepped close enough that her shoulder brushed mine. “She’s fine,” she murmure
