“W–What?” Azzurra stammered, her voice thick with sleep and confusion as a jolt of panic yanked her fully awake.

The slave girl standing beside her stiffened visibly, her fear etched into every line of her face. It was immediately clear she was human.

“Prince Mattia has summoned you,” the girl said in a strained whisper, her voice trembling. “You have to hurry... or he’ll kill me for the delay.”

Azzurra inhaled sharply, the air slicing into her lungs like ice. She rushed to ...