Even though the stench of rotting vegetables filled the air, this was the safest place for me—for now. My knees were still shaking from seeing Catherine slap Wanda so hard. It was something I had never imagined.

"Is Catherine defending me?" I muttered in disbelief.

"She's defending herself," Lona replied calmly.

"What do you mean?"

"Can't you see it? Catherine is trying to gain King Elijah's trust," Lona scoffed. "She'll do anything, even slap her own daughter."

"So it's just an act?" I asked.

"I think so," Lona replied.

Lona explained that Catherine would do whatever it took to keep her position until Elijah crowned her Queen Luna. If Wanda's...