Valen’s emotions churned violently. Morgana’s words kept echoing in his mind, each syllable digging deeper into his resolve. The accusations she brought were serious, and the evidence—if it held any truth—painted Ella in the darkest light. And Ella just stood there, her expression unfazed, her silence deafening.

Valen clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn’t understand why she wasn’t defending herself, why she wasn’t shouting her innocence from the rooftops. Wasn’t she aware of how precarious her position was? Say something, Ella, he thought, desperation clawing at him. Please give me something to work with.

He clenched his fists by his side, struggling...