Azandra POV

She took a deep breath, facing her parents at last, both of them, in front of most of her new family. Anneliese was there, and she was close to Lilia.

It was now or never. Her palms sweated. Her ears grew hot. Her throat went dry. She couldn’t do this.

She would do this. She had to do this.

For a moment, she stood silently, studying her parents. Titania looked as dignified as ever, with that “keep calm and carry on” face. ...