When Selene finally came, her expression alone tightened the air in the room.
“Forgive me, Lillia. I have news.”
She spoke breathlessly, still panting as she shut the door quickly behind her and hurried toward the sofa where the women sat waiting in tense silence. Lillia reached for her immediately, and Selene clasped her outstretched hands before sinking down between the maidens.
“My friend from House Montclair finally responded,” she continued, drawing in another sharp breath. “I had to meet her outside the palace because every activity within the Montclair estate is being closely monitored.”
The silence grew heavier as Selene reached for the cup of water waiting on the table and drained it quickly, coughing slightly as she finished, and Lillia leaned closer, gently patting her bac
