Luna's hand curled tight in her sleeve.
Elara slowly sat back.
Her fingers pressed lightly into the armrest.
"We were together the whole time. He even put Helena and me in the same chamber. Nothing happened."
Brandon said nothing.
His jaw locked as he looked away for a second.
He couldn't tell Elara she was wrong.
Couldn't tell their mother she was right either.
His fingers tapped once against the armrest, then stopped.
The King had already gotten to Elara.
And whatever happened between him and Helena—
He clearly didn't want it dragged into the open.
"Brandon… I need both of you to speak to your father." Luna's hands rested flat on her lap, fingers tense. "I want a bond severance. That's all. I'm tired of this matebond."
Brandon looked at her for a moment, quiet.
His voice stayed calm. "So you never loved him."
His eyes stayed on her, steady.
"Because if you did… three days would feel too long to be away from your mate."
He looked away, jaw tightening.
