Chapter XXIV

Silence fell. Zoe watched Brysa closely, wondering what she would do. Brysa’s hands fluttered at her sides convulsively. The princess’s face grew whiter and whiter. Zoe wondered what was wrong—and then realized Brysa was panicking.

Zoe stepped forward. “Stay where you are,” she said in a half-commanding, half-calming voice. Hardly knowing what she was doing, she strode to the door and nudged Rebekka out of the way. She peered through the crack in the door. Sure enough, Jaquin and a couple of bodyguards stood there. “Princess Alustate is unavailable,” Zoe told the prince bluntly. “Did you not hear she is feeling unwell?”

Jaquin’s face twisted with ill-humor. “I’m not in the mood for jesting, wench. Move aside.”

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I'm not sure I really like this chapter, so please come and let me know what YOU think. Thanks!