WINTER

I fell asleep much faster than I expected last night and the next morning after waking up, I sank into the bath before changing into fresh clothes. I had already stored the garments I bought neatly in the cupboard.

It wasn’t until now in the morning that Loran’s words returned to me; his reminder that the king himself had permitted me to stay here. I forgot it yesterday, but now it gnaws at the edge of my thoughts.

His king was one of the most unusual men I had ever met.

I knew ...