Scarlet’s POV
Vespara’s eyes lit up with affection. “See, that’s why I love you. You’re so caring. Why don’t you love me? Dante isn’t even cute.”
I turned bright red. “Shut up.”
She burst out laughing, her laughter echoing warmly through the kitchen. The heaviness from before lifted, if only for a moment.
Then she leaned her elbow on the table and asked curiously, “Where is that handsome soldier who always follows you around? He’s really good-looking.”
I shrugged. “He has a mate.”
“Ah, what a pity,” she said with a dramatic sigh.
Then, after a beat, I asked the question that had lingered in the back of my mind since I first saw the shadow behind her eyes. “Vespara… did you ever meet your mate?”
Her expression faltered, and a ghost of a smile curled at her lips, one filled with something bitter and broken.
“Yes.”
“What happened between you two?” I asked softly, afraid of the answer.
She looked down at her hands. “He died. He was poisoned…”
My breath caught. “I’m so sorry,” I said, rea
