If Elodie is not my father’s daughter, that means I’m his only daughter!

I shook my head, my tears streaming down my face. And yet he constantly beats me up and locks me up and, and—

“Breathe, Evadne,” I told myself when panic rushed in my veins. “Breathe.” I didn’t linger more in his wretched chamber. I hurried up and sprinted from my father’s room until I was panting before the door of the council room.

I strode to the council room with my breathing ragged, yet with a seemingly calm expression.

“...should anyone who objects to Elodie’s banishment—” Kal’s cold demeanor immediately melted to concern when he beheld my...