“No that’s not what I’m asking. Whose rooms were they?”
“They belonged to the empress’s favorite lady,” he says.
“I thought Marian was her favorite.”
“No,” he says. “Marian is the only one who agreed to stay after the empress’s death. All the others asked to join a temple in her honor.”
I wonder if they’d speak to me if I visited them. Maybe they could answer some of my questions. I’m still thinking about how I can convince them to allow me to visit the sun goddess’s temple when we reach my room.
“Same time tomorrow?” I ask.
“I think we’ll take the day off tomorrow,” he says. “You might be busy.”
My heart sinks. “I thought Caiden was still away.”
“He is.” He leans over me and knocks on the door.
It opens immediately, and my ladies chatter with the same energy they did when I first arrived at the castle. Then I notice that there’s a new face among them. I gasp. Shock and excitement explode through me—it feels like I was just dropped into cold water.
“Anya?” I can’t believe it. How is she here? How is this real? Am I imagining things?
She smiles wide and tears glisten in her eyes. “Nice to see you again, Princess.”
She’s dressed like a lady, and I hardly recognize her.
“How are you here?” I look over at Brevan. “Did you do this?”
“I may have talked Caiden into letting you have a lady from home,” he says. “Told him you were homesick.”
I throw my arms around his shoulders and hug him. He pats me on the back and moves out of the embrace quickly. His face is red. “I’m glad I could be of service, Your Highness.”
I realize my mistake and take a step away from him. “Thank you.” Then I enter my room and close the door before my ladies can ask any questions.
Anya crosses the room and pulls me in for a hug. I squeeze her back. I don’t deserve this kindness from Brevan. I know he’s falling for me, but he’s falling for someone who doesn’t exist. Anya is a good reminder of who I really am. Of where I came from and why I’m here.
I realize that when I read Sabina on the knife, I read it asmyname. Nothers. I need to get out of here before I lose myself or before I destroy Brevan.
“Thank you for coming,” I whisper.
“Of course. I’d have been here sooner if you let me,” she says.
“I know.”
“Later, I want to know anything new. I want to help,” she whispers.
“I don’t want to lose you.”
“I know what I’m getting into,” she replies, then releases me, and quickly steps back.
The other ladies are watching us. Genevieve and Charlotte smile as Anya returns to the group, but Antonia has her arms crossed in front of her chest and she’s chewing on her bottom lip. She looks worried. She probably thinks she’s lost the place she’s been working to gain.
“How about cards?” I ask. “Genevieve, Charlotte, can you teach Anya how to playAssassinand then we can all play the next hand? Maybe in the dining chamber? I’ll call for more hot chocolate.”
“Of course,” Genevieve chirps. Charlotte nods, then grabs the cards from the table near the fireplace. Anya happily joins them and they retreat, leaving me with Antonia.
“How are you?” I ask.
She drops her arms and fixes a smile on her lips. “I’m great. Your friend is lovely. She said you’ve known each other since you were children.”
