Selene knew the moment the words slipped from her mouth that she had made a mistake. It had been subtle—no raised voice, no sharp accusation. Just a single phrase spoken a little too carelessly.
The queen would be forgotten.
The phrase had come too easily, carried by the quiet venom she had meant to lace beneath polite concern. But the instant she saw Aurelia's eyes settle calmly on her face, Selene realized she had revealed more than she intended.
Now she sat across from the queen, her back straight and posture elegant, yet inside she simmered with restrained irritation. Every measured word from the queen felt like a quiet reprimand.
Selene lowered her gaze briefly, hiding the flicker of anger that passed through her eyes.
Careful, she warned herself. You cannot lose control here.
If circumstances were different, if she had not needed the palace and everything within it, this cursed woman would never dare to look at her like that.
