LUCY
"How are you feeling?"
Jaxl whispers the question, standing close enough to be a shield as the Great Hall slowly empties. People are moving with a frantic hushed energy, desperate to follow the King's command yet dying to discuss the scandal of the century.
How am I feeling? I'm not entirely sure. I am a conundrum of emotions right now—a tangled mess of curiosity, hope, and a cold, sharp fear.
My eyes drift toward Amara, who is deep in conversation with the King of Ashkara and his inner circle of nobles. I shift my gaze toward Tavric. He's speaking with his father, his posture still rigid, while his mother and brother have huddled together nearby, blatantly eavesdropping.
Seeing him there, I feel a pang of empathy; I want to hug him, to pat his back, because I know better than anyone how much he loathes being in their midst.
