Nina smiled gently. "I'm willing to listen."
Zena sat down beside her, her expression quiet, almost distant. "Nina…do you know why I was exiled?"
"I heard from my father that you carved away your mates' beast marks…even though they hadn't committed any serious wrong," Nina replied.
Zena's gaze dimmed. "Do you think I'm cruel? Impulsive? That I destroyed their marks on a whim?"
"No," Nina said softly. "I don't think you're that kind of female. You must have had your reasons."
A complicated look flickered across Zena's face. "I wasn't without reason…but I was impulsive."
She paused, then continued.
"I used to be a noble female of Jade Fox City. I grew up pampered, carefree, with everything I could ever want. My favorite thing…was listening to my father tell stories about his travels beyond the city."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Every story he told was vivid, thrilling. After each one, I couldn't help imagining what the world outside the city was really like."
