e door the moment i

ehead against her arms as her breath broke apart. The corridor outside was d

" she whispere

t ached with a pain she did not yet have a name for-betrayal, perhaps, or

e pounding of her heart. Somewhere deep inside her, something stirred.

ck came at

a sti

called gently. "

ri

, she considered pretending she wasn't there. But

owly and ope

at looked like regret. She wore the same careful expression s

ris said quietly. "I just..

tudied h

aw fragments-nervousness, fear, a desire to be safe, to st

remo

reserv

," Elenma said softly. Not a

d, her voice trembling just enough to sound sinc

out, as if to t

stepp

nd," she sa

just a fraction. "Good. I

replied. And that,

ace. "We women have to look out for each oth

enma said

left, the room felt

eady now, but heavier. Her power pulsed again, a little st

e who smile

apology

little t

and the air smelled of earth and green life. Elenma walked slowly along the stone path, drawn-as

s her

ound of water soothed her, grounding her when everything else felt uncertain. She

told herself.

ar the footst

e you do

es fle

his back, his expression guarded. Surprise flickered acr

prince-I come here when I'm

me," he said, inter

k. "I'm sorry

ssed, but his voice

e said.

wly. After a moment, he joined her, l

le, neith

d softly. Leaves

u from?" he a

he replied. "A

mil

intly. "My mother. My sisters. My br

istening. Tr

s them,"

ry d

moment. Then, unexp

of his lips-but it changed him entirely. The heaviness around

s breat

iled like th

way the palace felt too large sometimes. Without realizing it, Ele

ith her, the doubts quieted. The hallway.

e thought. Perhaps I l

t go," he s

at him. "

clarified. "I won't

so fast it nearly hurt. "

as if stead

a shadow fel

ce Ai

ever. She approached gracefully and leaned close t

ldn't hear

saw th

stif

His jaw tightened, and slowly, deli

s-no longer soft

ar

tion

had said had reo

oolly, standing. "I ha

ithout an

rt sinking as the distance between th

her calm mask,

was far f

her smile deepening with quiet triumph, unaware that