Chapter 37. Moments of Calm

Celeste’s POV

I sat close beside Nora on the edge of the weathered wooden bench, our hands intertwined. As she spoke, I squeezed her fingers gently, listening to every word she confessed. With each revelation, I felt a shift inside me; suddenly I understood why she had kept her distance when we first met. She had learned not to trust again—once bitten, twice shy. All of the fear and suspicion I’d noticed in her brilliant green eyes made sense now. And it pained me that Lucen was to blame.

I stifled the anger rising in my chest. If I had the chance, I would have liked nothing more than to punch him myself. “I’m sorry, Nora,” I whispered, my voice thick with regret.

She managed a small, wry smile. “It’s okay, Celeste. I didn’t feel anything but hatred for him. Even if he’d used that potion on me again, it wouldn’t have worked. I think I’d hate him no matter what.”

Her hand balled into a tight fist. I followed her gaze down to the patch of silver hair at