Chapter 17

Brunch with Kaelen, Elara, and Evelyn lasted about an hour. Throughout the meal, Evelyn acted as both guide and social lubricant, enthusiastically describing the local customs of Velhaven in an effort to fill the suffocating silence between Kaelen and Elara.

Meanwhile, Kaelen watched Elara as she focused intently on cutting the pancakes on her plate. He forced himself to swallow the questions