A day of shouting potential spells had made no difference in the gates. A thorough hunt of the palace and its grounds had not revealed the book, so Annelise retired to the chamber her husband favored in poor temper.
He was not there.
Her venison stew was there, though she had little appetite for it. There was only one portion and she feared that meant he had no intention of returning that night. Did the meal mean that he was not quite so vexed at her? Was it a promising sign? Or did he have a standing order with the palace to see her fed?
Or was he gone, and the palace would see to her basic needs forever?
She waited, but he did not appear.
She ate, but he did not appear.
She paced, partly to keep warm, but he did not appear.
She retired, extinguishing all the lights, but still he d
