Aria……

The march to the clearing was longer than I expected.

The path wound away from the stone hall and into the dark stretch of land that fringed the palace grounds. Soldiers lined the way, their torches burning bright against the deep blue of night. The flames snapped and hissed as if even fire was uneasy about where we were headed.

The three of us walked in silence, Serena in the lead as if she were guiding us herself, her posture confident, her steps deliberate. Giselle ...