Chapter 32

It was morning already and Freya was up, when,

The door creaked open, and the maid assigned to Freya stepped inside, broom and dustpan in hand. She moved with practiced ease, humming faintly as she worked. Her eyes scanned the room in a habitual sweep, checking corners and under the bed.

Then she froze.

Near the side of the bed, scattered in delicate clumps, were short strands of fur. Silvery, soft, almost glinting in the sunlight. She bent down, running her fingers over them. They ...