It felt good to lie down and I admittedly fell asleep right away. I heard Velador come and go several times and Madam Holsienne even mumbled good tidings to my drowsy attention.

Finally I felt rested enough closer to midnight and ventured towards Velador’s bedchamber. If what they said was true, and I was gone for so long, it’s been the better part of a year since he’s felt a woman’s touch and I missed him in every way.

I held my knuckles just an inch from the door in ...