She turned to look at Maelis.
"I asked him over and over who you were, and every single time he told me you were just a widow looking for work." She gave a bitter laugh. "All this time, he knew."
"If I've ever wished for anything, it was to meet his real family... his mother and father. At least to have them give us their blessing." Elara swallowed, her voice growing quieter. "Now that it's finally happening, he's doing everything he can to stop it."
Maelis hurried after her and dropped to her knees. Her fingers caught the hem of Elara's nightgown.
"Honey... please."
Elara looked down, then gently lifted Maelis's hand from her gown.
"He lied to me," she said quietly. "He looked me in the eye and lied."
Maelis's shoulders slumped.
"Your royal mating is in five days," she pleaded. "Please don't do this."
Elara didn't answer.
Maelis crawled a little closer, tears running freely down her face.
