The time Lady Lyrith dismissed her, Eliora's legs felt like trembling reeds beneath her gown.
Her back ached. Her ankles protested. Her head throbbed from the woman's endless snide remarks.
But she had survived. Barely.
The moment Eliora stepped out into the hallway, she inhaled sharply, letting the air wash over her.
She moved through the corridor determined to return to her chambers, not Zarek's.
Ria and Lune looked up as soon as she walked into her room. "Milady." Ria started out cautiously. "You're... not going to the king's chambers?"
Eliora approached her vanity and took off the veil. "No."
The maids looked at each other. "Are you certain?" Lune asked, almost begging. "The King… he will not be pleased."
Eliora hesitated.
The warmth of his presence from last night, the memory of how small she had felt in his arms, and how terrified she was all tugged at her heart. However, she raised her chin.
"I will sleep here tonight."
