“Perhaps that little girl is no longer there, Illyana. That much is true.” Emma headed straight for the kitchen, hoping it would be empty despite the early hour. She figured that what the young queen needed most was a proper breakfast—and perhaps a bath, too. “But that isn’t >

Sensing the tension in Illyana’s body and feeling her racing pulse, Emma slowed her pace slightly. The White Queen reached around Magik and placed a hand on Illyana’s other arm, drawing her a little closer to offer her some support. She would never admit that this was a hug. >

Emma accompanied Illyana’s final, measured breath by placing a hand on her back, right between her shoulder blades, and gently guiding her toward the exit. The mess left in the wake of the Queen of Limbo’s training session began to sort itself out automatically as soon >

Only once the sword had been withdrawn did Emma allow her human skin to reappear beneath the diamond, bringing a hand to her forehead with a sigh. “Illyana, didn’t we talk about training all night long?” Emma glanced at the exhausted woman through her fingers. Then, with a >