“What’s going on here?” Both Thalia and Zev froze, turning slowly to see Madam Rose standing there, her sharp eyes narrowing in on them.
Thalia’s heart leapt into her throat, panic flooding her senses. She silently prayed that Madam Rose hadn’t overheard their conversation—what would she think of a mere maid speaking so freely with the prince?
“Nothing, Madam Rose,” Thalia said quickly, stepping back from Zev as if putting distance between them could erase any suspicion. “I was just finishing up in the garden.”
Madam Rose’s gaze lingered on Thalia before shifting to Zev, her expression stern. “I certainly hope you weren’t bothering the prince with idle chatter,” she said, her voice cutting like ice. “A maid should know her place.”
Zev’s jaw tightened, clearly irritated. “She wasn’t bot
