I jolted. The maid was holding out a thick, matching black robe.
“Thank you.” I allowed her to help me into the robe and tied the cord myself, opening the door and striding out to the balcony so she wouldn’t see my expression. Her wings rustled as I passed her, and I wracked my brain. The maid had attended to me for years, and yet I suddenly couldn’t remember her name. What was wrong with me?
I took a seat at the table on my balcony and studied the kingdom below me. The sound of wings flapping above my head made me tense, and I glanced up. A lesser demon landed, perching on the turret above me. He bared his sharp teeth at me, and I turned away.
Someone knocked on the door to my rooms and I tuned into the voices.
“Breakfast will be on the balcony this morning,” the maid murmured to whoever had brought the food.
“Of course, Yusilin.”
Yusilin. That was her name. I sat back in my chair, relief making my muscles weak. I knew Yusilin. She woke me each morning, helped me dress, and occasionally gossiped with me about my grandfather’s court. She also dried my tears when I wept in frustration each time my grandfather decreed I was to eat in my rooms while he was ‘entertaining.’
I didn’t know what it was he didn’t want me to see on those nights, but banning my attendance was an insult to my rank.
The maid who’d brought breakfast smiled at me as a platter of food floated behind her. She made a quick gesture with her hand, and the plates slowly rose from the platter and glided through the air until they arranged themselves on the table in front of me.
“Thank you.”
She studied me, much like Yusilin had. I attempted a smile. “Something on my face?”
Her cheeks heated, her wings rustling in obvious mortification. “No, your royal highness, please forgive me.”
Was she… afraid of me? I couldn’t remember a single time when I’d been cruel to her. Of course, I couldn’t remember any interaction with her at all. Perhaps she was new.
“Nothing to forgive,” I said.
She bowed her head and turned, walking back into my bedroom, where she whispered with Yusilin.
Loneliness crept up on me, sinking into my gut where it stayed. I picked at the fresh bread and cheese I preferred to start my day with, then switched to the tart pari berries, which I’d loved since I was a child.
Déjà vu again. I sighed.
“Your grandfather would like to see you when you’re finished eating, your royal highness,” Yusilin murmured behind me.
“Please, call me Danica.”
Her silence spoke for itself, and I sighed, turning my head. Her eyes were wide with shock. “I understand it seems strange, but I would prefer it, at least while we’re alone. Please.”
All this time, and I’d never asked for something that would make me so much more comfortable? Yusilin finally nodded, a hint of a smile trembling around her mouth. “Okay. Danica.”
A sharp, indrawn breath from the maid behind her. I smiled. “That goes for you, too.”
From the way she rushed out the door, I had a feeling that wouldn’t be happening. I pushed the food aside. “Well,” I said as I got to my feet, “I suppose I should get ready to see my grandfather.”
I dressed quickly, choosing a forest-green gown that matched my eyes. My grandfather liked me in green, saying it reminded him of my grandmother, who’d preferred the color. She’d died before I was born, and my parents—
“Ow!” My hand shot to my temple, where it felt like I’d suddenly been stabbed with a blade.
“Your royal high—Danica,” Yusilin said when I opened one eye to look at her. “Are you okay?”
The pain was quickly fading, and I managed a nod. “Yes. I must just be tired. I didn’t sleep well.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. If you turn, I will tie your gown.”
I complied, and her deft hands got to work. A face appeared in my mind. Delicate features, creamy brown skin, and bright blue eyes that had flashed with displeasure as she stared down at her own gown.
“Danica?”
