******
The hall was quiet when Devine came. Soft murmurs filled the air as the people began to wonder why she was called. Some said she was cursed witch of Akkad. A few of them blamed her for the death of their loved ones.
The emperor ignored most of their whisperings and focused on the task ahead. My heart kept pounding heavily within my chest she when I saw her, my blood paused.
She greeted the emperor and I. I answered with a hope that she might read my mind as usual.
"Welcome, Devine. We are very pleased to meet you," I welcomed her. She smiled and sat on the floor in front of us. The emperor called Apollo and asked them send everyone home who was not family. I wished at this moment that grandmother and Queen Valeria were not family. I wished they were sent far away from here.
