#Chapter 30: Thorns and Roses

Elara The table fell silent in the wake of Grace’s outburst, Zoe’s hand still hovering halfway to the cheese dish. Already, both girls’ lower lips were trembling, their big eyes shimmering with unshed tears after being yelled at. I glanced at Alaric, hoping for some kind of a hint of reassurance or support, but his shoulders had sunk slightly, his usual weariness etched into every line of his face. He looked like he was too tired and downtrodden to even bother saying anything to his mother I pressed my lips together, biting back the words that were lingering on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to tell Grace off for speaking to my children the way she had today. But Alaric’s voice from earlier in the day echoed in my mind: “Don’t fight with my mother. It’s easier that way.” Clearly, he knew a lot more about her than I did. He had spent his entire life with her, after all. If he wasn’t standing up to her now, then perhaps there was a good reason. With a soft