“Where have you been?” he asked.

Her mother stopped walking. She didn’t even turn fully to face him. She just stood there like someone who had been caught doing something small but important.

“I went out for fresh air,” she said quietly.

Kieran didn’t move. “That was not fresh air. Don’t lie to me again.”

Her mother’s fingers tightened around her cloak. “I needed space.”

“You left the palace,” Kieran said. His voice didn’t rise, but it felt heavy. “And you ...