Chapter 72

Ari

Life in Skagi continued, and it was my sanctuary, away from those who might have wished me harm. Here, I felt safe, surrounded by people who cherished me. Skagi was my haven, but it also filled me with sadness, for it kept me apart from my own people.

"I'm sorry, everyone. It was the only way I could protect you," I whispered to myself, a heavy weight on my heart. Despite my longing to see my people, I had heeded Ulric and Lady Aleria's counsel. Avoiding the capital for the time being was the wisest choice, they said. It was to shield my people from the potential cruelty of Maddie and Seraphina, who wouldn't have hesitated to harm them to spite me. As my status had suddenly risen, I had become untouchable, but it only made them more vindictive towards those I cared about. It was a bitter truth, one I wished I hadn't had to accept.

"I just wished there was a way to reassure them why I had been absent," I murmured, hoping for a solution to bridge the distance between us.

As long as