Adeline figured her secret was not much of a secret. The emperor knew. Edward knew, Annora knew, her friends and family knew. So where was the secrecy?
So she decided to become bolder with her use. She had enough allies to protect her, and most importantly, she had enough power to protect herself.
The glowing butterfly hovered right above Aaron's nose, wings fluttering with more attitude than grace.
"I'm coming with you," Adeline declared through it, her voice firm despite the playful sparkle of the light.
Aaron immediately frowned. "No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I—" Adeline growled, then stopped herself before she got dragged into a childish back-and-forth. Instead, she crossed her arms on her end of the link, her real lips pressing into a thin line. "Aaron, listen to me. I can handle myself. You'd better start treating me like a peer instead of your little sister. Why the sudden protective act?"
