Elora’s POV
At first, the whole thing slipped under my radar. Barely a blip, if I’m honest, I could have sworn it was me overthinking. But then it spun out, so gradually I almost missed it. Suddenly, any time Dominic talked to Dante in council, it was... brutal. No more of that old slow, begrudging consideration; he dished out his words like little cold bullets, barely even looking at him unless it was to stab holes through him with those icy stares. And then just like that, the orders start flowing fast.
Border check, double patrols, endless guard briefings. Dante always did his share, but now the whole thing just reeked of punishment. All of a sudden, he was never in the palace. Meals? He’s a ghost, worn so thin he can barely sit up straight before Dominic tosses him out for another th
