moment with Elric, every word Kane had whispered, and every sharp glance Selena had cast her way. Each thread of her life

lways, was

ed one evening as they met in t

as you'd expect. But there's a servant's entrance near the east wing that's not

olfish. "I knew y

her eyes. "That's assuming we even get that far. Elric's not

sharp. "Then it's a good thing I'

ween them had grown thicker with each passing day, and Amara

-

r shop, commissioning more elaborate dresses and spending hours watching her work. At first, she

a gown, Elric leaned against

," he said, his voice sof

hovering above the fab

're opportunists. They take what they want and lea

"And what do you know

will use you until there's nothing left, and then they'll move

she had tried so hard to suppress. Kane's plans were reckless, and S

-

. She found her friend in the market, hagglin

ra called, he

r expression guar

her aside. "What's going on with you?

ddle to you. Maybe I'm tired of watching Kane fawn over you l

twisted. "This i

you let him pull you into his schemes? You're not the only one who wants out of th

alking about?"

jaw tightening. "You

turned and disappeared into the crowd, le

-

as in her shop, finishing the final touches on a

," he said, slamming

king about?" Amar

's been meeting with one of Elric's men. I don't know what she's t

rt sank. "A

out, Amara. If we don't ac

ack, along with Elric's warnings about Kane. She felt trapped,

the shadowed streets of Adella, their movements silent and precise. Amara's heart pounde

escribed: unguarded and easily accessible. Kane

e dimly lit corridor, a fig

na's voice cut through

m, her arms crossed and a triumphant smirk on her lips. Behind her, a g

all the fun, did you?" Selena sai

s fists clenchin

me, Kane. But I told you-I'm tired of being

tared at her former friend. "Sel

art over? There's no starting over for people like us, Amara. There

their weapons raised, and Am

-

narrow corridor became a battleground. Amara could only watch in ho

arker than before. The alliances that had once held them to

t of dawn, she realized that the price of ambi