Chapter 10 · A Door Left Open

Spring came late to Bellwether. The snow withdrew from the roads in gray ribbons, and the river carried broken lanterns toward the sea. Without the Hollow Court's oaths, the kingdoms had spent three uneasy months arguing over borders, prisons, and the meaning of a promise. Mira had learned that freedom did not make people gentle. It only gave them room to reveal themselves.

The bakery survived the winter. Aunt Sella complained that Mira had become too famous to sweep a floor properly, then saved every newspaper that mentioned the Starfall Archive. Liora slept in the room above the ovens and woke each morning to the scent of bread. She and Aunt Sella spoke carefully around the missing years, building a bridge from small truths.

Queen Veyra did not return to her palace. She traveled between the border towns with Seris, helping prisoners recover the names taken from them. Some called her a tyrant. Others called her a savior. Veyra accepted neither title.