“The Scandal Breaks”

Elyra

I felt the retching rise again, bitter and acidic in my throat. My hand pressed to my belly, the other braced against the marble sink as I vomited for the second time that morning. Tears pricked my eyes, hot and useless. My entire body trembled with exhaustion.

A gentle knock came at the door. “Lady Elyra?” One of Mother’s maids. “Her Grace requests your presence in the throne chamber.”

I rinsed my mouth, staring at my reflection. My skin was sallow, my lips pale, my eyes rimmed red. I wiped a trembling hand across my mouth, forced my shoulders back, and turned to leave.

As I...