Briony’s grin gleams, her eyes radiating vindictive energy. She has long been waiting for this exact situation—a stage to expose Luna Freya, to prove her as an unworthy outsider merely handed the role by circumstance. Now, with dozens of eyes fixed in anticipation, her moment has arrived.

Freya senses the trap the instant Briony throws down her challenge. She knows the stakes. Declining would invite whispers of weakness, and acceptance would mean falling into the pit of ...