Elena’s lips were trembling now as she could still taste the herb’s bitterness all the way down her throat. Her eyes watered as she looked from Aurora to Rowan, then to Maddy who was now crying softly and holding her stomach like it would bring back what she never had.

The room went completely silent. Everyone was waiting for Elena to speak, but she pressed her mouth shut tight, lips sealed, shaking her head with small jerks as if forcing herself not to talk, tears already slipping from her chin.

Rowan’s patience had completely run out. He moved before anyone could blink, his hand locking around Elena’s throat as he...