Sapphire’s Pov
An hour later, I stood at the top of the dungeon stairs, well aware that Alberto was no longer within the palace walls. He had left with a few men, not explaining what exactly he was off to do, leaving me worried. The way he had handed me his signet ring, like he expected to die on this mission of his—I did not like that.
I shook my head. Why did I even care? I should want him dead so that I could finally be free, right? I sighed against the silence, wishing my thoughts would be as still as the air. I glanced around again, half-expecting someone to materialize behind me—by "someone," I meant this "Vane" that Alberto had spoken of. What did he look like? Why was he a threat to me?
"You cannot pass, my lady," the guard at the dungeon entrance said as I approached. His voice
