ELARA’S POV“My queen,” she said, her voice barely steady as she stepped into my chambers.“What happened?” I asked. “Are you hurt?”She tried to smile, tried to straighten her shoulders the way she always did when she wanted to look strong for me. It failed.“How are you?” she asked instead. “How are your wounds?”“I’m fine,” I said, moving closer to her. “But you were hurt. I saw the blood earlier. Valerie, look at me.”“I’m fineee,” she insisted, waving it off too quickly. “It is my duty to protect you, my queen. I can lay down my life for you if I must.”“You don’t have to,” I said softly. “I never asked for that.”She opened her mouth again, then closed it, as if weighing her words. Her eyes darted to the door.“Something happened,” she finally said.My heart thudded. “What is it?”“His Majesty wants us to start packing. We are leaving.”I exhaled slowly. “Yes. I know.”“Speak freely Valerie, you're like a friend to me” Her brows pulled together in confusion. “Not that kind of l
Last Updated : 2025-12-16 Read more