The kitchen was quiet and dark, the only light coming from the dying embers in the huge stone hearth. Carlos poured water from a clay pitcher into a silver goblet. The cool water splashed softly, a peaceful sound that was suddenly shattered by a commotion outside.
He walked to the kitchen door, which opened onto the servants' courtyard leading to the main gate. He pushed it open slightly and peered out.
He saw them. Two guards were dragging a woman toward the heavy iron gates. It was Senna. She was kicking and screaming, her voice wild and shrill in the night air.
"The Grand Duke is impotent!" Senna shrieked, her words echoing off the stone walls. "You married a useless man, Marissa! The Grand Duchess is a living widow! He can't touch you! He can't touch anyone!"
The guards didn't stop. They hauled her to the gate and threw her out onto the dusty road, tossing her bag of belongings after her. The gate slammed shut with a clang of finality.
