I slipped the dark robe over my shoulders, fingers trembling slightly as I fastened the clasp at my throat. The fabric was heavier than I expected, woven with threads of silver that caught the light of the torches flickering in the chamber. I'm yet to understand the palace's love for ancient torches, or was it part of the celebrations?

The cloak, meanwhile, which had been given to me by Adam—courtesy of his father, felt ceremonial, weightier than anything I had worn before—as though it wasn't just cloth but expectation resting against my skin.

Today was the day. Or night…

The day I would cast a protective spell strong enough to...