Eliora stared at Maalina's back for a heartbeat, her chest burning with hurt.
She bit back the tears that wanted to form in her eyes. Maelina had just looked right at her and said she was not fit to be queen.
She took a deep breath and forced a calm look on her face.
Ahead of them, two guards pulled open the wooden doors to the seer's lair.
Eliora straightened her back, smoothed her skirt, and walked inside. Rows of seers stood in the dim room, wearing white robes that brushed the floor.
As Eliora stepped inside, every head dipped low.
"Queen of beasts," they said together, their voices echoing.
Eliora kept her chin up, hiding the ache in her chest.
Elder Lily stepped forward from the corner near the altar. She bowed her head lower than the rest before she began to speak.
"Welcome, My Queen," she said. "You have crossed into the sacred space. Here, we strip away the mortal dirt and shape you for the throne."
Eliora watched her closely, but said nothing.
