I grope my way to the curtains and pull them back to let in light. I immediately shut the door—I don’t want anyone to see me when my mind is this confused. I have a strange idea. I run to my nightstand where I find an unlit candle and a few matches. I light one and bring the flame to the wick. I watch the flame hopefully, wishing to see a tiny fiery body curled in it.
Luca doesn’t appear, and that makes me feel deeply alone here. Even though Naida and Clarissa soon come to check on me, I don’t feel comfortable telling them what happened. I don’t know if they’ll judge me. I know I do.
Did I like that kiss? Did I give in too quickly? Should I have resisted more? Does that kiss mean anything?
“You have to tell us everything you saw,” my handmaidens ask.
I tell them about our encounter wit
