Kaia and Lora arrived at Queen Tonya’s chambers, feeling the tension in the air as they were led into a lavish tea room. Queen Tonya sat at the center of attention, surrounded by several ladies of the court. Her smile was warm, but Lora sensed the underlying currents of hostility.
Lora was taken aback to see Kaia greeting everyone with a cheerful and friendly smile. “So, this is how it is,” Lora’s wolf, Tara, whispered amusedly.
“It seems so,” Lora replied, half amused and half intrigued by Kaia’s display.
Queen Tonya introduced Lora and Kaia to the assembled ladies, each of whom seemed to view them as intruders. Lora quickly noticed the unfriendly glances of the other young women in attendance. “What is their problem?” she asked Tara in confusion.
Tara, wise as always, responded, “If
