Tyla’s POV
The courtyard fell silent.
Not a bird moved.
Not a maid breathed.
Even the wind felt as though it had paused, watching, waiting for what would happen next.
The woman stepped out of the car like she was descending from a throne. Her elegance was sharp enough to wound, her presence heavy enough to command the entire palace grounds. Every servant dropped into a bow as if their bodies had been conditioned to obey her before their minds even processed who she was.
And she was looking at me.
Directly.
Unblinking.
Evaluating.
My heart thudded painfully in my chest.
Hayley shifted behind me, whispering frantically, “My lady, we need to go inside. Now.”
But my feet were rooted to the ground.
The woman—tall, regal, dressed in a form-fitting black gown that shimmered subtly li
