JADE Pov

My blood boiled with anger as I watched the council's woeful display of decision-making. I couldn't fathom how they could be so blind to the consequences of their actions. Standing there with my brother and Jasmine, I had to endure the painful ordeal of hearing the council members' proposition.

They callously suggested that we should return Jasmine, tearing her away from our side, and take back Katherine in a misguided attempt to avoid war and mitigate further loss. The very idea left a bitter taste in my mouth. How could they believe that sacrificing one person for the sake of appeasement would bring any true resolution?

I clenched...