Chapter 14

Seris’s POV

“Look, Seris.” Valeria turned me toward her. Our eyes met, and she continued, “Ronan is just being stubborn. He’ll come around. There’s a reason he’s acting like this, but that’s not my story to tell. Trust me—he’ll come around.”

I didn’t reply; I simply nodded, trying to convince myself that he truly would change his mind.

“Let’s go, dear.” Valeria reached for my hand, but I hesitated and held her back.

She looked at me, concerned. “What is it?”

“How many people will be there?” I asked.

“It’s a private dining hall,” she said, her smile warm. “Just you, me, Ronan, and a few other high-ranking members.”

My throat tightened. I swallowed hard.

“Shall we?” she prompted, offering me her hand again. I accepted, and we left the room together.

We descended the wide marble staircase and walked through a long corridor toward the dining hall. As we neared the entrance, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the ceiling: a mass