ra

ing dry leaves past my ankles as I pulled my gaz

the firelight casting sharp shadows

low

rode across the dark lawn toward the t

ddle of Silvermoon Castle tonight, the Crown Prince's

rds, we entered the main building of th

dor, a tall man stepped out from the shadows.

pped ceremonial dress, Dan's eyes widened in shoc

st guest wing. Prepare hot

blue eyes toward me for a brief s

rd of tonight le

riskly down the opposite hallway, clearly rushing o

nto a quiet, luxurious room in the west wi

en dress walked in carrying buckets of steaming water

heard rumors that this quiet maid was not only an expert in herbs and d

ide brass tub and sank into the hot water, letting out

e surface, washing away the smell of

cked up a soft sponge and began wash

ings outsid

ed, keeping my voic

a heartbeat before she ans

ber has alarmed the Castle Garrison. T

hed her blurry reflecti

rugged His Highness?

l over my shoulders w

an to investigate. There

he tub and closed my eyes, exhaustion dragging me down into a li

mer

, the air was freezing as I sat behind my wide o

walked in quickly, dropping to one kn

rcelain soup bowl with dark brown

voice tight with anger. "This tonic soup was brewed

ing the oak desk, my c

since infancy and whom I had treated like a sec