Cercei's POV

“Prepare your luggage,” Aunt Melanie burst through the door just as Mamà and I were seated for dinner.

Her countenance betrayed her unease and fear, her hands trembling as she opened a drawer to reveal a firearm. My eyes widened in response, a mix of surprise and dread flooding over me.

“Melanie, what is happening?” My mother attempted to maintain composure, but the tension in the room was detectable, amplifying with each passing ...