Olivia stood frozen at his words.
Shaya took a slow sip from her goblet, her gaze sharp and unbothered. "You hide like a frightened mouse, Olivia. Flinching at your own shadow." She set the cup down with a soft clink, her voice turning colder, more serious. "But you are not weak. You have fought with the royal family, used them, manipulated them when you don't even know about your powers. You have challenged them. But now.. You look like a ghost."
She rose to her feet and walked toward Olivia, her steps slow, deliberate.
"You are a witch," Shaya said, standing close enough that Olivia could see the flicker of fire in her eyes. "And instead of fearing that, you should wear it like a crown."
Olivia blinked, stunned into stillness.
"Witches are wicked. They have been hunted all their life." the words come out shivering from Olivia's mouth as if she abhorred what she was.
