By decree of the mighty prince, she was confined to that tiny cage. Azzurra could stand without stooping, but lying down was another matter there wasn’t enough space to stretch her legs, so she had no choice but to curl up like a child.

The benevolent prince didn’t even bother to show his face and she was genuinely relieved. The room, at least, was warm, and the traitor Benedetto had laid a thin mattress inside the cage for her. It wasn’t plush, nor new, but it kept her from the icy bite ...