I didn't hear what the retainers said after Meli ran out. Their voices became background noise as I pushed back from the table and went after her.

[b]"Meli!"[/b] I called out as I rushed through the backdoor.

[b]"Meli, wait. Please."[/b]

My voice was desperate, urgent. I needed her to hear me. But she was already too far ahead, moving fast through the trees.

I wanted to tell her I was sorry. That what I said back there was stupid, just me trying to hold onto something, anything. Trying to keep control when everything felt like it was falling apart.

I wanted to explain that I wanted to protect my family. Elena, Garrick, Isolde. They'd given up everything for me. But she was right. She was family too. She'd always been family. And the Moonpetal, they stood with us when those soldiers came. They'd been our friends for years.

I wouldn't leave her. I wouldn't leave the gathering to face this alone. That wasn't who I wanted to be. That wasn't who my mother would have wanted me to be.

We'd figure this out. Together. I didn't know how yet, but we would. I needed to promise her that.

I looked around, trying to find any sign of which way she went. The forest was thick here, and Meli knew these paths better than anyone. I searched for broken branches, disturbed leaves, anything that might show her trail.

If I couldn't track her, I'd go straight to the Moonpetal Gathering. She used go home when she was upset. That's where I needed to be.