Chapter 11

• Chloe stepped out of her chambers, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. For once, she felt a sense of control over her life, a purpose driving her forward.
• Her gown, a flowing masterpiece of emerald silk, shimmered as she walked. The fabric hugged her figure before cascading into soft folds that trailed behind her, the color highlighting her green eyes. Gold embroidery traced the edges of the gown, intricate patterns that spoke of her royal heritage. Her hair was swept into a loose braid adorned with small jeweled pins, giving her an air of understated elegance.
• Chloe breathed in the crisp morning air, her steps unhurried as she wandered through the garden paths. This was her moment of peace but her mind was far from idle. Thoughts of Kael, her kingdom, and the promises she had extracted from him weighed heavily on her.