Jasmine's POV
The palace gates stretched before us, imposing and gilded, exactly as they had always been. Yet instead of the familiar comfort I once felt, anxiety churned in my stomach like a restless storm.
I remained still in the plush leather seat, fingers interlaced and pressed against my lap. Aunt Naia hummed a gentle melody beside me, as though this were nothing more than a casual afternoon outing.
But it was everything except casual.
I had not stepped foot inside these walls since Jayden's birthday celebration, and now here I was, returning against every instinct screaming inside me. Not by choice, but by necessity.
