Chapter 41:

I walk through the streets of Moonhaven with my head held high, despite the weight of the aggressive stares pressing against me like knives.

It's almost laughable.

They glare at me like I'm filth—like my presence here is an abomination.

But then they look past me, and their expressions twist. Their gazes drop. They bow.

Not to me though, but to Caspian who walks slower behind me.

And just like that, their hostility shrivels into submission.

They think I belong to him. They believe that I'll be their queen. The irony nearly makes me laugh, but I swallow the amusement.

It wasn't long ago that these same people made it their mission to tear me down, to remind me, over and over again, that I wasn't enough. That I was weak. That I would never belong.

But now?

Now, they step out of my way.

Now, they lower their heads.