Chapter 19

• Chloe sat by the window in her chambers, staring out at the moonlit gardens below. Her arms were wrapped around her knees, and though the soft breeze whispered through the slightly open window, it brought no comfort. Her heart felt like it was breaking into a thousand pieces, her thoughts racing with everything that had happened.
• She had been humiliated in court, judged by the elders, mocked by Astrid, and betrayed—at least it felt that way—by Kael. And yet, she couldn’t deny the ache she felt for him. His words from earlier echoed in her mind, but she shoved them aside, unwilling to let herself hope.
• A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.