CHAPTER TWENTY THREEELARA’S POV

My footsteps echoed softly as I hurried down the hallway, my heartbeat racing ahead of me. I felt like the walls were closing in, like the palace itself knew Anna was ready to tear my life apart with one sentence. I needed a plan. Something smart. Something sharp. Something that would silence her before she silenced me.

I turned the corner, still thinking a little too fast, when a strong hand grabbed my arm and yanked me sideways.

I gasped and almost ...