{8}
A Sound PlanSantha lay awake, the key resting beside her on her pillow. She had intended to keep the uncanny object well away from her person, but she was feeling selfish this night. She touched it lightly, sliding a finger along its length, allowing the key’s power to dull the ache in her heart. And she wondered, How could something so small cause so much trouble?
Beside the key lay a single yellow rose on the verge of full bloom. She lifted it to her nose to enjoy its soft scent. Dandon was still in his study, poring through his library in search of answers to similar questions. Having rustled up a meal of leek soup and bread, drawn a hot bath for his guest, and probed Santha with more questions, he’d escorted her to the guestroom where she’d been staying for the past three weeks s
