?But before she could act on her impulse, the door to the room burst open. Forrest and Elene stormed in, the Princess still tying the belt on her silk robe, both their hair dishevelled and their expressions fraught with concern.
“What happened?” Elene gasped, her gaze sweeping over the chaos around them.
Salome tried to free herself from Joaquin, but he resisted until she tapped his hands wrapped around her waist. “I am fine now. Let go.”
The air in the room still crackled with the remnants of Salome’s magic, the tension palpable as Elene knelt next to Dalisay to check her pulse. Joaquin gently eased Salome onto her feet, his hands lingering longer than necessary as he ensured she was steady. She brushed off her yellow dress, composing herself with a few deep breaths, her cheeks tinged
