Elara's pov
But looking at the alternatives, looking at who else was available and who else I could even begin to trust, Corvus was the best option I had.
The only option, really.
My hand moved to the window, pressed against the cold glass. Solid. Real. Outside, somewhere in the city beyond these walls, Kaelen was probably trying to figure out what to do with himself now that I'd torn his job away from him.
I wondered if he hated me.
I wondered if he'd already left the city entirely.
I wondered if I'd been too rash, too angry, too desperate to push away anyone who might see too clearly what I was trying to hide.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
But tonight, I'd accomplished something. I'd removed Malakor from power. I'd elevated someone who might actually help me instead of managing me. I'd signed a treaty with Valerium that avoided war without sacrificing my independence.
I'd survived another day.
And the child inside me had survived with it.
