The Blood Moon was three nights away. The tension in the palace grew heavier every passing day. Everyone could feel it, but no one dared to speak about it. Draven had stopped sleeping. His temper became unstable, and his eyes flickered red whenever he was angry or stressed.

Liora watched him closely without letting him know she had noticed the change. He barely ate, and when he did, his hands trembled slightly, as if he was holding back something violent inside him. The guards avoided his ...