As we left the temple, Eliza was still quiet.

I couldn’t deny that I was disappointed to learn the diadem was in the Dark Realm. But my own disappointment could wait. I wanted to make sure that Eliza would be okay.

“Ready to get back to the hotel and rest?” I asked, taking her hand.

She sighed and shrugged.

It broke my heart to see her look so down and defeated. This whole time, she’d been the one I could count on to lift my spirits and ...