Amari tightened her grip on the edge of her coat as whispers trailed in her wake. She had expected some fallout—some cold looks maybe—but this? This silence, this shunning… it was worse.
Earlier that morning, she had tried to act normal, brushing her hair back and pretending her eyes weren't rimmed with exhaustion. Nova had noticed, of course. He always did.
"You didn't sleep well."
He said bluntly.
She sighed, arms crossed.
"You think? I spent all night wondering if someone was going to barge in and drag me off for treason."
Nova didn't seem fazed.
"Should I take care of the royal family?"
"No! I don't want that. It's bad for business. I don't want to be the reason blood runs through these streets."
Amari snapped, more sharply than intended. Then she softened.
Nova gave her a nod, unreadable as always.
They opened the shop as usual, but hours passed, and not a single customer walked through the doors.
Not one.
Worry prickled beneath her skin.
