Ember Frost’s POV

Eira remained like that for two days—quiet and distant. She was with me, yet it felt like she was somewhere else entirely. No one dared to say much. We all saw it, but kept silent. It felt like anything we said might break whatever little calm was left.

Everyone who knew what we’d found carried the same uneasy silence.

And just when it couldn’t feel heavier—

The third day came carrying its own troubles.

A messenger arrived from the palace carrying a wrapped ...