Chapter 26
When Arden and Malakor reached the heavy oak doors of the East Wing suite, the Queen and her daughters were already emerging.
“Queen Calliope,” Malakor said, his voice dropping into a somber, respectful tone.
Calliope didn't stop. She barely managed a stiff nod of acknowledgment, her eyes were red-rimmed and her expression distant, before she swept past him toward the main hall without a single word.
“I’m sorry about our mother,” Evelyn said softly, watching the Queen’s retreating figure with a pained look. “She isn’t exactly... herself right now. This entire situation is a lot to process.”
“I don’t blame her in the least,” Malakor replied. He was a man who genuinely regretted being the reason she had to face that room.
“It isn’t anything personal,” Eileen added, her voice
