Arielle woke up to the soothing scents of burning wood and leather.

The aroma was unfamiliar, too masculine to belong to her chamber. She knew it was not her chamber, because she couldn't perceive the familiar notes of floral and lavender that usually clung to her sheets.

She lay on a vast bed of soft brown silk sheets. The faint glow of fire danced across the walls.

Beside her sat an elderly woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder, eyes glowing faintly blue— Maera, Shadow ...