Alaia’s POV
I watched nervously as more and more people came through the doors of the palace. I knew it was a mixture of family and friends who have grown to be considered family over the years. My assumption is they are all people who knew and loved my father. Seeing the sheer number of people walk through the door made me smile. My father had a lot of people who loved him. Thinking about him having to stay away from them all those years made me sad though. I can’t imagine the pain it caused him or those around him when he just disappeared without a word.
Standing there, watching intently as people filtered in, I suddenly felt sparks on my hand. I looked up and saw Cade. He smiled at me and pulled my hand away from my mouth. I was unknowingly biting my nails. It’s a nervous habit I hav
