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"You are a princess," I said. "You will be treated as such."

She seemed to accept that immediately.

"My mother."

"Yes?"

She shrugged.

"You must send word and tell her I am gone." She frowned. "She has not yet made it to Bloodhaven, so if she is displeased she likely won't be strong enough to kill you."

She paused. "I would prefer that she did not."

Something inside my chest tightened.

I reached over and smoothed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"I will tell her where you are.”

She looked at me. "You will remember? It is important that you do."

"I always remember."

She nodded once.

"Very well."

She stood, brushed the front of her dress smooth, then looked back toward the ward one last time.

"I think Fiorakis will be troublesome."

I laughed softly.

"I think you may be right."

"And Ari will pretend not to follow her."

"He will."

"He will follow her anyway."

"Probably."

She seemed satisfied with that conclusion.

Then she reached into the small bag at her side and pulled out a book and held it toward me.

I looked at it. Then at her.

The nursery rhyme book. The one with the hare and the crown.

"You found it," I said.

She held it out. "I wanted you to have it. Since you said you always wanted to read the real version."

I took it from her hands. I looked down at it for a moment. Then I handed it back to her and smiled.

"I would like to read it with you," I said. "When I see you next.” I paused. “Perhaps you can begin reading while I’m gone.”