Elara's POV
It's been days of getting used to Kaelen not being by my side, days since I had last sent for Lena or other maids to help me bathe or dress up, days of gradually accepting the changes in my body.
I walked into the council chamber and felt the difference immediately.
The room was the same. Long table, heavy chairs, maps on the walls, the Dravaran crest hanging above the fireplace. The same men sat in their usual places, shuffling papers and murmuring to each other in low voices.
But something was different.
Malakor's seat was empty.
Corvus sat in his place now, at my right hand. He looked slightly uncomfortable in that chair, like he was still getting used to its weight, its meaning. But his back was straight and his eyes were focused. He had prepared reports, organized the agenda. He was trying to establish his authority, to show he belonged here.
