“I will.”

Kimberly waved vaguely.

“Don’t overthink it, Iris. Let it be 'just work'.”

Just work.

I almost sobbed but I didn’t because my mind already knew that this could never be just work for me. Not matter how hard I tried.Elowyn lay deeply asleep, her breaths soft but uneven, her skin too pale beneath the lamplight. The room had gone silent as soon as Baron entered, yet the supporting Veilbound witches soon swept in-hoods low, faces drawn tight with strain.

They gathered ...