“Thorne,” Delora said quickly, brushing her hair back. “I was just teaching her a little respect.”
He stepped inside, his boots clicking softly against the floor. “Is that so?” His gaze shifted to me “And what did our sweet Avaline do to deserve that?”
Delora straightened, her chin tilting upward. “She forgot her place. She even told me to leave. Can you imagine that?"
Thorne chuckled quietly, the low sound somehow unsettling for me. “Did she? You should be more careful, Avaline. New moons like you get banished everyday. No one cares about them."
I met his gaze, forcing the fear from my voice. “I didn’t do anything.”
He smiled, slow and deliberate. “I know.” Then, turning his head slightly toward Delora, his tone shifted. “You should go, Delora. I’ll handle it from here.”
Delora bl
