Madeline POV
I took another shaky breath in as I looked out my bedroom window and into the bare, wintery woods. The council were due to arrive any moment and I needed to calm my beating heart and get ready to deceive them. I would need to put on the performance of a lifetime to make them believe that Arius meant nothing to me. Sweat beaded on my forehead at the fear of this going terribly wrong and I quickly wiped it away. What if they see past my lies? What if I can’t find the courage to do what is needed of me? Of us?
I look down at the beautiful bracelet that has come to mean so much to me and smile sadly. I turn my wrist over and unclip the bangle, placing the jewellery safely in my top drawer. I could not risk wearing it even though it gave me the strength I needed. But it’s all in
