After having confronted a man many times larger and more powerful than she, why the sudden desire to run? Perhaps she’d be locked away as Darius once promised. Darius’s mother held her arms wide and tearfully pulled her very large son into her petite embrace, holding nothing back as far as emotion was concerned. Maelle—if that really was the queen’s name—was a lady who was obviously happy to have her child home. Several women dressed similarly to the royal couple pushed themselves forward and held the Titan’s commanding officer as though they’d never let him go. Who were these new additions to the spectacle? Friends, relatives, or lovers? The crowds suddenly seemed overbearing, too besotted and too fan-like with their recording globes held high and reverent smiles pasted on their faces. Everyone’s attention was riveted on Darius, his father, and mother. Laurel couldn’t locate Gemma or Barst. Without their camaraderie, some of her swagger disappeared. Laurel slowly backed away.
