*Eva*

Queen Lena and King Xander sat in their thrones high above the table where I sat. Across from me, eleven women I’d never met before looked at me with curious, calculating eyes.

Behind me, Daphne and Rion stood by the door. Jasper was there too. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and I felt like a child being scolded for spilling milk.

I was grateful that the rest of the kingdom wasn’t there to see me on trial. It was rare to get a private trial, ...