Hidden Bonds

(Queen Liora's POV)

I stood, unable to move.

My lungs ached, but I couldn't breathe. My heart thundered like a war drum, refusing to calm. “You two are mates?” I asked again, though I already knew the answer.

They didn’t speak right away, but then slowly they nodded.

Kaelen looked down while Neva avoided my eyes, and just like that the truth shattered the little peace I had left.

I wanted to screa