“Close the door,” her mother instructed.
Thessa followed her to the threshold. “Be careful.”
Aerenne paused and angled her head. “I always am.”
Then she stepped into the street, her shoulders square, her good robe catching the light like a flag of surrender. Thessa stood there long after she’d gone. The hearth snapped behind her like it knew a secret she wasn’t meant to.
And next to it, Sera didn’t hum.
She just stared at the ceiling, lips parted, eyes glassy, as if listening for something only she could hear.
Chapter 58
Evelyne stirred beneath the covers as the world slid into focus. The familiar scent of morning air greeted her before a soft knock tapped through the haze.
The door creaked open and Isildeth stepped inside. “Milady, it’s almost time to start preparing for the ceremony.”
Evelyne blinked against the light. “Good morning...” Her voice was still thick with sleep.
The maid approached, no smile in sight. “I trust you slept well?”
A pause. “Partially…” Evelyne murmured, but the realization settled.
She did it again.
Slipped past locked doors. Wandered too far, broke every rule Isildeth had been tasked with upholding. And not for the first time, the woman had no idea.
Evelyne swallowed hard. Why did something that felt so right have to be so wrong? Why did she have to apologize for doing—no, forneedingto do—the right thing in secret, to protect them, and in the end wound them all the same?
She wanted Isildeth to know—to say, I spoke with the prince. I opened up, just as you said. And it was… nice. A little frightening, but if all goes well, I might have a friend there, so you don’t have to worry anymore.
But she couldn’t. Because she’d chosen selfishly, and Isildeth had paid the price for it.
The distance between them hadn’t closed overnight. But today, of all days, Evelyne had foolishly hoped for a moment of warmth. A hand on her shoulder. A word she didn’t have to earn.
She wasn’t sure she deserved it. But she wanted it.
The apology trembled just behind her teeth, aching to be spoken.I should have told you. I should have let you in. I missed you.
She opened her mouth to speak.
Isildeth inclined her head, her face unreadable. “Let us begin with your bath.”
And just like that, the moment passed. Ceremony reclaimed them both, leaving her wondering when exactly she had stopped reaching—and whether she still could.
Isildeth called out to Vesena, who swiftly entered the chambers. Together, they moved toward the adjoining bathing room.
Evelyne threw back the blanket and froze. The hem of her nightgown, along with the soles of her feet, was streaked with dried mud. A sharp breath left her lips, but she masked it quickly, pulling the blanket back over her lap before either of the maids could see.
“Your Highness?” Isildeth’s voice brought her back.
Evelyne forced an easy nod. “Yes. Just a moment.”
She shifted, carefully peeling the nightgown from her body before quickly tossing it aside, letting it crumple onto the floor where it would go unnoticed among the linens. If the maids noticed, they said nothing. She crossed the room, chin up even in vulnerability.
Evelyne stepped into the water, letting its warmth chase the edge off the morning chill. She sank slowly, eyes closing as the scent of lavender rose around her. For a breath, she could almost pretend it was an ordinary morning. Just another bath. Just another day.
But the warmth did little to loosen the knot in her stomach. Behind her, Vesena approached to unwind her braid, she felt the tug of her fingers. But then, something had caught.
