[Tyler’s POV]

I sat in the throne room, trying to read the report the warriors in the West had sent to me, acting like everything was okay and pretending to be calm as I waited for Malia to show up. It had been nearly an hour since a guard had been sent to get her, and I was getting extremely anxious since she hadn’t shown up yet.

“Malia, I know this would sound annoying, but…” No! No! No! I shouldn’t start that way, I said to myself, practicing how to break the news to her.

“Um… there’s something I need to tell you.” No, that sounded terrible. Perhaps, I should...