Chapter 74 - Witches in the Woods

It seemed like forever since Veloria had left the tiny home she and her sister, Victoria, had shared. The smell of ancient wood and lavender oil returned to her like an old friend as the door creaked open, but this time it was bitter. Sighing, she entered the silent, dark room and looked around. They would frequently eat late into the night and have whispered chats at the little wooden table in the middle. The seats were now vacant, and the quiet was overwhelming. After her duties at the palace, she would typically return home with arms full of food and supplies, eager to share them with Victoria. Her sister would return from her perilous spy missions for the Moonveiled Claws, and they would sometimes just sit in peaceful silence, laugh, and share stories. However, this time, she dropped her bag on the table and sank into one of the chairs, feeling the weight of her exhaustion. Victoria wouldn’t come home. Ever again. As the reality set in, Veloria felt her heart twist terribly