40
~Rowan's POV
I sat in the lounge with my brothers. The fire was burning low, casting shadows on the walls. Damon was leaning back, sipping his wine with a smirk on his face. Kael, as usual, said nothing, just sat there, staring at nothing like his mind was somewhere else.
"She's still alive?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.
Damon gave a short laugh. "Yeah. Barely. She looked like she was about to drop dead in the hallway earlier."
I didn't laugh.
I just stared at the fire. The crackling logs reminded me of how quiet the palace had become. No more whining. No more begging. Just Lisa dragging her feet around like a ghost.
"She should've left by now," I said.
Kael finally looked up. "Maybe she's too stupid to take the hint."
"She's not stupid," Damon muttered. "Just stubborn. She thinks someone still cares."
I scoffed. "No one cares. Not anymore. Not since the night she helped that guard escape."
Kael's jaw tightened, but he didn't speak.
