Seraphira schooled her expression into an unreadable mask, completing the visage of a queen fully down to business.
"About me?" She sounded intrigued. "I would say that is surprising."
Out of Violet's mates, Asher Nightshade was the one who had drawn her attention from the start. The boy was ever vigilant. Ever attentive—even though his aura was heavy like someone bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Tell me then, what is it about me you wish to discuss?" She chuckled, deliberately taking the situation lightly. Or rather, that was her own way of coping with the unexpected tension.
Seraphira lifted the cup to her lips and was about to take another sip when Asher announced, "We know you're sick."
The words landed like a blade.
The announcement came so suddenly and unexpectedly that her hand trembled, the hot tea sloshing over and burning across her palm.
