Princess Thadea deZora Zarqon
Jourd'Bellona, 11th Decima
Silence cloaked most of the trip back to Atton. Jules and Ghia chatted, as married couples are wont to do, but even that seemed subdued, melancholy.
Thadea herself said nothing. It was her habit, of course, to keep her speech concise. But now the powerful pain that gripped her stole her voice.
It wasn't just the broken leg.
Briony, her only friend since she'd been a teenager, was gone. In her early days, when she was old enough to hunt and take care of herself, being completely alone would still have driven her mad. Only Briony had freely offered friendship, without obligation. Their bond grew stronger every day. Too soon, over forty years had passed.
She'd thought she'd never leave him. What reason did she have? What reason co
