Ma’am, are you alright?

Alaric tossed his jacket onto the couch and headed upstairs to crash. After a grueling, fifteen-hour flight, he was beyond exhausted and just needed sleep.

When he finally woke up, he jolted at the sight of a figure sitting by his bed. Clutching his chest, he groaned, “Mom! What are you doing in my room?”

“Who’s Vespera Thornfield?” Mrs. Strider grinned mischievously as she turned on the light. “Got yourself a girlfriend and didn’t tell me, huh?”

Rubbing his head, Alaric sat up, eyeing his mom's nosy expression. “How do you even know about Vespera?”

Mrs. Strider batted her eyes innocently. “I called Zane. He told me everything.”

Alaric was speechless. His brother really couldn’t keep his mouth shut, could he?

Mrs. Strider, looking far too pleased, leaned in. “So, you finally stopped pining over Elowen? Now, tell me, who’s this Vespera? Got any pictures? Let me see!”

Alaric got out of bed, heading downstairs in his slippers with a scowl. “We broke up,” he muttered.

“You broke up?” Mrs.