Jovita's POV

My father led me down a large, well-lit hallway with several wonderful artistic paintings. Everywhere in the castle was painted white, from the look of things.

“What happened to Grandma?” I asked as we took a bend.

“She was poisoned. No one knows by who yet, but we have suspects. Her physician needs to make a portion, but he needs a flower that only grows in a garden only you can enter”.

He was watching me as he spoke. The sad look in his eyes had not faded.

“Because I bear the sacred mark?”

“Yes”.

“Why do I bear it?” I had a million questions to ask. My...