Chapter 102

• Alera’s Pov
• I decided to go to my parents’ lodge today. For hours I debated with myself, pacing back and forth in my chamber, wondering how exactly I was supposed to walk in there and act as if everything was fine. I kept trying to frame the perfect words in my head, how I would greet them, what I would say, how I would explain the changes that had taken place in such a short time. And if they questioned me, what would I tell them? Would I dodge their gazes, or would I look them in the eyes and bare my heart?
• Eventually, I realized I was only exhausting myself. Sometimes overthinking makes everything harder than it truly is. So, with a deep breath, I decided to just go ahead.