Chapter 5. Duties and Strength

Mia sat in the maiden’s court with her mind wandering. Usually, she stayed focused on the day and the issues at hand, but now she was disoriented. Kailani returned to Soule this morning, and a part of her wanted to leave.

In the last week, Kailani stayed at the palace. Mia didn’t feel alone; she had someone to talk to. Kailani understood a lot of things she was going through, being royalty. She understood the responsibilities of marrying an Ainsworth and how painful it could be. It was a trauma bond, but a bond nonetheless.

Mia wondered how things would go for her now that Kailani had left for Soule. She would become alone but for her sons.

“My Queen,” she heard her name called, and she snapped out of her thought.

“Luna Elena told us some slath armies are just like us.” A maiden seated in the first row spoke.

“Yes,” Mia nodded, “they are beings, broken to the point that they do not care about their safety or even life. But just as they have werewolves,