Elara pov
Dawn came too soon, pale light filtering through the windows like it had every right to be there, like this was just another morning and not the day they'd decide whether I lived or died.
I hadn't slept, couldn't sleep, just sat against the wall watching Seraphina smile at me from every mirror.
The door opened and they came in all at once, Eldric leading with that stolen crown on his head, Maeve behind him moving with that eerie grace, three other council members I'd seen at the coronation.
They formed a circle around me, their faces grave and ceremonial, and I realized with sick clarity that this was it, this was my trial, right here in Seraphina's chambers like even the throne room was too good for me.
"The marks cover her entire body," Eldric said, looking at me like I
