“I present to you Elleanora Allcione.” I heard the loud announcement of my name and my heart skipped a beat. I had a frog stuck in my throat and could barely move. I felt a firm squeeze on my hand as Aelfric tried to support me and I looked at him with deep fear in my eyes and he replied with a soft smile, taking one step forward. “One step at a time.” He whispered gently. I closed my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath and collected the leftovers of my courage then opened my eyes again taking a step forward following Aelfric.
I had to admit I would have felt more secure and courageous if Alarick were here. I didn’t know why, in this crucial moment, my mind conjured a picture of him but I welcomed those thoughts. Maybe if I were thinking of him and not about the hundreds of eyes locke
