At Death’s Door (1)

"Mother." Iris regarded the High Queen. Though it had been two years since she left Calaren Town, she still wasn't used to calling another woman her mother. The mother who gave birth to her was left behind in Calaren Town with her siblings.

"You look well." Queen Asheera said, as she sat on her throne, looking down at Iris with a cold countenance. There was no motherly affection nor bond that the two shared.

Iris forced herself to remain calm, keeping her expression as neutral as she was trained to. She didn't know what the High Queen was planning to do to force her to stay in Shayla Kingdom, but as the day of the release of the tribute maidens that arrived two years ago was fast approaching, Iris didn't have any other choice but to keep her guard up.