*Alec*

How long had it been? The windows inside the Palace were weird. I was counting time by how many maidens came in and out. Some of them brought food. Three meals a day, so I figured it had been a few weeks. The others who brought bandages and salves came less frequently. Ember was still a pale, bruised, unmoving form on the bed. She was still breathing. Her heart was still beating; thus, there was still hope.

“Still here, I see,” Chastine said as she ...