Why should she...

Mrs. Strider was fuming, her head pounding with frustration. She grabbed Zane and demanded, "Why did your brother and Vespera break up? Didn't you try to find out?"

Zane shrugged. "Isn't it obvious? Vespera thinks Alaric's still hung up on Elowen, and he thinks Vespera's not over Quinn. Classic misunderstanding, just like in those cheesy TV dramas."

"Go investigate properly!" Mrs. Strider snapped. "Has Elowen been stirring up trouble again?"

Zane stood up, grinning. "Mom, I'm impressed you know what 'stirring up trouble' means."

"Just go!" Mrs. Strider roared.

"On it, on it!" Zane bolted out the door.

Back in his room, Alaric flopped onto his bed, mulling over what Vespera and his mom had said earlier. It seemed everyone thought their breakup was because he couldn't let go of Elowen.

But Alaric knew in his heart that Vespera was the one he loved, not Elowen. Why did everyone think otherwise?

Sure, he and Vespera hadn't been together long, but she was an amazing girl. She wouldn't accu