Reluctant Homecoming

(Neva’s POV)

The palace gates loomed ahead, tall and golden, just like I remembered. But instead of joy, a tight knot twisted in my stomach.

I sat quietly in the back seat of the sleek black car, hands folded tightly on my lap. Aunt Vespa sat beside me, humming lightly as if this was just any other day.

It wasn’t.

I hadn’t seen the palace since Kaelen's birthday, and now I was going back. Not beca