Elara stepped out into the corridor just as dawn painted the sky pale gold.
Her fingers brushed against the sleeves of her robe absently while her thoughts remained trapped elsewhere.
She spent the whole night processing what Edward said to her.
As she descended the stone steps leading toward the royal courtyard, the morning air struck cool against her skin. Quiet lingered over the palace grounds, disturbed only by distant guards changing shifts and the soft sound of water from the eastern fountains.
Then—hoofbeats.
Fast.
Violent.
Elara's head snapped upward.
Princess Veyra came tearing through the courtyard atop a white horse, silver hair flying behind her like a war banner. The animal looked half-maddened beneath her grip.
And directly ahead of the horse— Venom.
The black hound stood in the center of the path, teeth bared.
"Elara!" someone shouted.
Too late.
The horse lunged forward.
