Back in familiar surroundings, Taisiya, though feeling defeated and weak in her body and mind, was resolute in grappling with the weight of her responsibilities and the fear of failing again. This visit, while it did provide her with some much-needed support, also stirred a sense of impending conflict within her, a war between her determination and her doubts.

The only thing was her enemy's elusivity. Elder Raul Zev was cunning, and she wondered who was backing him. This only made her more vengeful, snapping at anything and everyone.

Her plans to be the trusted Queen to step in were no longer possible the way she'd initially planned. But when...