Chapter 63

• “Your Majesty,” Xiao’s voice interrupted my thoughts. My eyes flutter open, immediately catching his gaze. “She’s awake. Phaedra is awake.”
• The news immediately brought me to my feet, but after a few steps, my feet halted and suddenly gained weight—like an anvil was weighing them down. It was the hesitation keeping me rooted in my spot; unsure of my next step now that she’d regained consciousness. Do I want to reconcile with her? Do I want to antagonize her, or stay civil? Do I want to blame her like I blame Flavian?
• “Xiao, I-I…” I started, my tongue yielding deep into my mouth. “I…I do not know how to react. We did not exactly part with good terms, but we need her—them. I-I do not know what is the right thing to do.”