Nyssa hadn’t backed down after Syzar’s rejection. Instead, she made a habit of visiting Queen Vamara, encouraging the servants to speak well of her, and doing everything she could to earn back the king’s favor.
But pleasing Vamara proved almost impossible. The queen held a clear distaste for Nyssa—an attitude that infuriated her, especially since she couldn’t seem to win the queen mother’s approval.
Every attempt was ignored. Even trying to serve Vamara food or brush her hair would send the queen into a frightened, traumatized recoil.
“Snowflower… where is snowflower?” Vamara would ask after a few days without Celeste, her voice laced with worry each time she mentioned the name.
It stoked Nyssa’s anger.
She scowled at the thought of Celeste recovering in Syzar’s chambers these past fe
