Betraying Jaren was the worst decision you’ve ever made. You were sure of it. Jaren Vallentis was the purest, loveliest person you’d ever met. You didn’t deserve someone like him. The only thing people like you deserve is death.

Ten years ago, you were sent to Zalindov prison for resisting your father’s arrest on counts of treason. You were seven. You were allocated work in the prison infirmary, where you soon became head healer, shortly after your father’s death.

Ten years later, Jaren Vallentis was brought to your infirmary. But you didn’t know who he was—yet. During your fourth Trial, he revealed his true identity—the Crown Prince of Evalon—and brought you back to Vallenia with him after you broke out of the prison—with Tipp in tow.

You got closer to Jaren while at the River Palace. Maybe even loved him. But you were torn between your familial loyalties and your loyalty to Jaren’s family. Eventually, you chose Jaren over Zuleeka’s wicked cause, but it didn’t matter in the end.

She took his powers and his throne, and framed you for it. Made him believe you betrayed him, when you were only trying to help.

But maybe you had.

You were sent back to Zalindov after Zuleeka drugged you with angeldust. Cresta spent weeks weaning you off the drug, which you’d quickly become addicted to on your journey to Zalindov. Unwillingly, of course.

Long story short, you were locked in the Abyss, taken out, betrothed to a foreign king, broken out again, and eventually ended up at a forgotten military camp in Evalon with Princess Ashley—Caldon’s sister and Jaren’s cousin.

You were exhausted, injured, and emotionally drained. But all of that disappeared the moment you saw Jaren. He was standing in the middle of the ring talking to Caldon. He eventually spotted you, and your heart leapt, until you saw the look on his face.

There was nothing. It was just.. blank.