“Princess, you can let go now,” Jamie whispered in her ear. Elaine realized she was still clinging to him, face hidden in his chest as his hands rested on the wall behind her. She wasn’t sure how long they had stayed like this after he told her to close her eyes and keep quiet, but the screams and the bright light were gone. Silence had fallen around them, and the stench of burning meat was almost overwhelming. Elaine quickly pulled her hands away, looking around. They were all huddled in the room her Guardian had pushed them into when that light appeared — Cara and Malina too, along with their guards. Her ladies were sitting on the ground, shaking. Cara was still with her hands over her ears while Malina was pressing hers against her mouth, her eyes so big they looked like they were goin

