Mia went into the adulation hall to offer incense and prayers to the moon goddess for the journey ahead of her. In the last six days, she had made preparations for her leaving and had prayed every day since then. This would be the last time she'd offer prayer at the adulation hall and her heart leapt at the thought.

She made all her plans to escape in secrecy and didn't even let Lydia, her maid, know of it. She feared that would leave Lydia vulnerable because knowledge of such could be ...