Tears of gratitude and relief slipped from Danika's eyes. She lowered her head again and closed her eyes. "Thank you for believing in me."

She closed her hand around the young woman's thigh in a reassuring squeeze. "We will get through this, Danika. Together. I will do everything I can to---"

"I don't think there is anything that can be done." She paused and swallowed, "I c-can't stop seeing the King's face in the store room. That coldness. He trusted me... He ...