“I swear to you, your Highness. I haven’t seen her.” Sinit?a sneaking off was a good thing and a bad thing. Zandrue still needed to talk to her, but she also didn’t need Annai’s anger right now.


    Shit, did Annai know Zandrue and Rudiger were staying in Felit?a’s apartments? If not, how would she react? Rudiger probably wasn’t there anyway. “He might be in the stables with his horse.”


    Zandrue curtsied again and took the lead as thunder rumbled overhead. They were on the far side of the Palace from the stables, so it would take a few minutes to get there. A chance to engage Annai in conversation, maybe? Perhaps the Princess’s agitated state might make her more open to discussion.


    “But she doesn’t understand. She has the mind of a child. There are so many things she doesn’t understand—can’t understand. Without me looking out for her, I don’t know what she’d do.”


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    was a long shot, your Highness, though it’s still possible Princess Sinit?a is with him. They’re just some place else. Perhaps we could try—”


    They wanted to kill me, not you, Zandrue thought. She put an arm around Annai and held her tight. “It’s all right now. You’re going to be okay.”