The great hall cleared quickly after the household staff was dismissed, leaving only the quiet snap of the hearth fire against the oak logs. Nila didn't wait for Marcus or Iris to finish securing the lower woodshed perimeter. She turned and walked straight back to her quarters, her leather boots heavy against the stone stairs.

She sat down at her vanity table, staring at the bone-handled comb resting beside the porcelain water basin. She expected the same routine as the last five days. A suffocating silence while Kaelen mechanically performed his duty, followed by a swift departure.

When the heavy timber door clicked open, Kaelen stepped inside. He closed the...