ELARA’S POV

Nobody tried to speak against the witch. The air in the hall was thick with restrained questions and unspoken fears. as if even a breath too loud could be a crime.

“Elara, step forward.”

Her voice rang through the hall, cutting through the silence like a knife.

I rose from my seat gently, my heart trembling in my chest. Every eye followed me as I walked to the centre of the Grand Hall, where the ceremonial stuff had been kept ready. Everything was arranged as the ...