A soft tap echoed on Kara’s door, causing her to jolt upright, wondering who the visitor was. Ever since her brief encounter with Eerik in the garden, Kara had secretly hoped that he would seek her out, offering an explanation and perhaps an apology for his actions. She had waited patiently, minutes turning into hours and hours into days, yet Eerik had not made an appearance.

Several times, she had ventured outside her chambers, longing for a chance encounter, but Eerik ...