Chapter 15: Baby Steps
Maren took Roshène’s arm, hurrying her around the corner and into the foyer. “The farther away we are, the better for us,” she hissed, “those pair are renowned for their arguments, and we need to be clear of the danger zone.”
Roshène tried to concentrate on Maren’s running commentary as they retraced the route from the morning, but she couldn’t seem to hold a thought for more than a second before it flitted away like the iridescent butterflies and sprites fluttering around the vivid pinks, reds, orange, purple and yellow flowers in the garden.
“Roshène?”
“I apologize. I wasn’t listening.” For a minute she waited for a slap or a punch—a punishment for not paying attention: acquiescence wasn’t enough, it had to be accompanied with the proper display of deference. A
