The sudden look of regret was impossible to miss, even without the slight fluctuation in her pulse. For all Ariadne pretended to be innocent, she knew what it meant. And had the good sense not to broach the subject. Not outright, anyway.

But she nodded at the question. "Afraid so," she said. "One where the Elves are the most powerful race in the realm and where I'm the only one with this face."

She hoped.

Tentatively, she took a few steps closer to Vasran, keeping her voice gentle and low. "Was it hard for you? Growing up like that?"