"What have you done to yourself?"
"Listen, mother, I'll tell you details later." She tried to stand, but Eirene forced her to stay seated.
"Sit down. You will not interrupt this ceremony."
Rowena pulled against her grip. "Let go."
Eirene tried to pour restraint magic into her daughter; she whispered a spell under her breath, but she felt Rowena resist. It wasn't a physical resistance. It was something inside her pushing back. It was heavy and dark.
Rowena tried to stand again, but her mother's spell held her down.
Her expression shifted from smug confidence to irritation. "Release me," Rowena hissed.
Eirene shook her head. Her eyes were wide, filled with something between fear and disbelief. "You have no idea what you've done."
Rowena glared at her. "You chose to settle for the sidelines. I won't."
