"She is doing what she believes is right," River said in a steady voice that did not match her face. "She is here because she is your fated tie, Tristan, and the pull is real to her. Please, do not arrest her for answering what the Goddess asked of her."
The emotions pouring from River intensified, carrying the weight of a truth she could never speak. Grief that belonged to a woman who had lost everything and resolve that belonged to a woman making the hardest decision of her life. The combination hit Tristan like a punch to the chest.
Next to him, Lucian's hands curled into fists at his sides. Atlas stood, watching his daughter with careful eyes, trying to understand. But he did not intervene.
The guards kept moving towards Vesper.
But the princess was in their path. To get to Vesper, they would have to touch River, and touching the Crown Princess of Aelindris without authorization was a career decision that required more than a moment's consideration.
