The quiet that descended over the royal dining room after Maya, Tay, and Anya’s departure was almost serene. Queen Elena lingered at the table, her fingers brushing the edge of her teacup. Her mate, King Kai, watched her closely, noting the subtle change in her demeanor. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the dark cloud that had haunted her features seemed to lift, replaced by the faintest smile.
“She looks so happy,” Elena said softly, breaking the silence. Her voice was warm but tinged with melancholy. “But at the same time, I feel like she’s matured overnight. She’s so strong now… so resilient.”
Kai nodded in agreement. “She has grown in ways we couldn’t have predicted,” he said, his tone contemplative. “But that strength came at a price, Elena. A price we forced her to
