The air in the hall suddenly shifted, as though a sudden chill had passed through it, and the entire congregation fell into silence.
Kyva felt it before she understood it.
Though she could not see the speaker, the weight of the unseen presence sent a shiver down her spine. Still kneeling, her gaze remained lowered in careful respect— but it was the stillness of everyone that unsettled her most.
Who—
Her stomach tightened.
Who has come now?
Was it the Grand Arbiter?
A worse thought followed, cold and unwelcome.
Have I drawn more trouble upon myself?
Her lip caught between her teeth as her fingers curled into the fold of her dress. The others had passed through their presentation with ease. But when it came to her, something always went amiss. This entire predicament was far worse than being cursed. At least, if she was cursed, it would have given her a reason as to why she was always so unlucky.
Her quiet lamenting came to a sudden halt when she heard footsteps behind her.
