At North Palace

Night had fallen, yet Althea couldn’t sleep. The bed felt too empty without Gavriel. It wasn’t the first night she’d been alone in his chambers, but this time it carried a strange heaviness, an uneasy feeling that he might not return anytime soon.

With a sigh, she got up, slipped into a thicker dress, and pulled a cloak over her shoulders.

Instead of sneaking out through the balcony like before, she chose the main door. She had permission now to move freely around the ...