Chapter 15: The deal

Aura’s servants worked silently as they practically escorted everyone to their seats. They all looked dead inside and eager to get breakfast over and done with. I suppose I fit right in with them.

Aura was seated at the head of the table and right next to her was a man whose appearance, although exceptionally beautiful like the rest of his siblings, reminded me of a sculpture with his perfect, high cheekbones, sharp nose and unnaturally smooth and blemishless olive skin. Like his siblings, his most striking feature was his eyes. They were a bright and almost glossy shade of intense green, reminding me of emeralds. I assumed he was Griffen, the Carden sibling I’d not yet been acquainted with. He seemed awkward and very reserved… and tired. He yawned a lot and seemed to want this to be over sooner than the rest of us.

“Ariya. I heard that you’ve met everyone here except for Griffen. He’s the youngest,” said Aura with an attempt of what seemed to be a smile.

Griffen gazed up at me and sm