Hope

The queen's gaze is sharp as a blade. “Take her to the dungeons.”

Two guards appear like spectators and each grabs one of the arms supporting her weight as they carry her away.

The queen gives a signal while starting to usher Keith and I towards a door I never noticed before.

Music sounds behind us, and the murmuring of a continued part commences as we enter the hidden room.

When the door closes behind us all the sound is muted.

“The healer should be here any moment. Please sit.”

The queen gestures to a couch. I walk with Keith, and we sit together, my hand never leaving his...