“So much for crying.” Rowan slowly lifted his head. It was a pale-skinned hand bearing a handkerchief that stopped his red-rimmed eyes from flowing more tears.

            “You should stop now.” A sweet smile bloomed across Eliane’s features, making his focus drifting towards her. “Honestly, you could flood the entire forest with that sea of sorrows cascading from your face…”

            Rowan gave her a breathy, anxious laugh. “You only said that because you’re not the one who disappointed your father.”

            “You did not disappoint them,” Eliane sat beside him, her red cloak being caked by the soil. “They disappointed you.”

            “What?” He whipped his face to her. “Why?”

            The High Priestess...