The feeling of a thousand hot knives stabbing Celeste’s heart hadn’t stopped, not even after Syzar’s cold words.
Now, sitting with Vamara, her thoughts held her hostage again and again.
Vamara lay sleeping on the daybed while Celeste sat in the outdoor gazebo, overlooking the courtyard and the distant horizon. She was glad for the queen’s presence, though she couldn’t ignore the increased number of guards around them. They didn’t trust her.
She knew suspicions lingered—from Syzar and the pack—about her involvement in her brother’s escape. But Vamara still needed her as a companion, and that was her saving grace.
Their quiet moment was interrupted when Maeve stepped forward, clearing her throat softly to announce her presence. She glanced at Celeste before taking a seat.
“Princess Maev
