Her forehead touched the ground.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Miss Dawn… thank you so much."
Aurora's eyes widened.
"Adeline, what are you—?"
"I swear my life to you," Adeline said, still on the ground. Her voice shook.
"From now on, I will do anything you say. I will be your shadow. Your sword. Your shield. Whatever you want. I'll never betray you."
Tears slipped down her cheeks, but she didn't wipe them. She didn't care.
Aurora stood up quickly, looking almost a little stunned herself. She hadn't expected this. A promise, yes.
Loyalty, yes. But this girl was kneeling? On the cold, hard floor?
"Adeline," she said, gently but firmly, "Get up."
But Adeline didn't move.
"I'm serious," Aurora said again, stepping forward. "You don't have to kneel to me. I'm not a queen."
"To me, you are," Adeline whispered.
Aurora paused.
Her chest felt strangely tight.
