Elena’s POV

I carried the next tray of tea more carefully than I had the first one.

My hands still felt the tremor from Elder Hayes’ outburst when I had first walked in, but I had learned how to hide it. A servant’s calm face was a shield, and mine was already polished smooth.

The corridor outside the council room buzzed with low voices. A few guards glanced at me but didn’t stop me this time. Everyone in this house had learned to ignore the fallen. I balanced the tray, pushed open ...