JASMINE
The morning light poured through the tall windows of my chamber, soft and golden, gilding the polished marble floors and the silk curtains that whispered against the walls with every breeze. The air smelled of fresh bread, honey, and spiced tea.
A quiet knock sounded, if not for my sharp hearing, I wouldn't have heard it. A servant entered, her head bowed, placing a silver tray on the low onyx table.
Finally! Breakfast.
Warm pastries fresh from the oven, ripe fruit, smoked meats. I wasn’t sure I could stomach this with the weight in my chest.
Sloane sat up, bleary-eyed. “About time. I was about to chew my own arm off.”
She picks up a warm bread, mumbling and grumbling something about starving us. But I barely heard her.
My ears had picked up something else.
The rhythmic cl
