Ara’s POV
The palace garden stretched out before me, bathed in the soft glow of dusk, its quiet beauty a stark contrast to the unrest curling tightly in my chest.
Damon had been gone for hours.
I knew he was dealing with Seraphina—word had spread that the courtroom had been sealed shut. No one was allowed in or out. I told myself to be patient, to trust him… but as time dragged on, unease clawed at my thoughts.
What’s taking so long?
Did something go wrong? Did she—
I exhaled sharply, forcing the spiraling thoughts to stop. I wandered further down the winding stone path, letting my fingers trail across the petals of blooming roses, their soft fragrance clinging to my skin. I tried to anchor myself to the calmness of the garden. To something real. Something steady.
But peace didn’t
