Despite Queen Ava’s insistence that we discuss “more relevant matters” for the rest of dinner, I find the conversation to be largely dull and uninteresting. She drones on about all the different ways the Forces of Light are stronger than the Forces of Darkness, and the Senses all nod their heads like robots and agree with her about everything. By the time I’ve cleared the final course from my plate, I’m nearly bursting out of my corset and very much ready to be anywhere but there.
Ava leaves first, followed closely behind by Lana. Neither of them say a word of farewell to me. Jasmine and Phoebe each offer me a friendly wave before departing, Haley gives me a hug, and Sadie stays rooted firmly in place.
“I know Queen Ava said you’d be tired,” she says, “but I have so many questions for yo
