32
With the new morning, I dressed before Adelais came to rouse me from bed. I attired myself in a dark blue gown, with a curled matching blue ribbon through my hair, keeping it tied back in a small braid. While the shorter length was new, I found I preferred it. When Adelais finally came into the room, her grey eyes were wide as she found me without the fur cloak.
“Your cloak . . .”
Her voice was full of surprise as her eyes scanned around the room, finding it folded on the large bed.
“You may take it to clean, if you wish,” I replied softly. “I won’t be wearing it today.”
In truth, it felt strange to be without it. It almost felt as though I were without a layer of my skin and left completely exposed to the occupants of the palace.
Adelais’s gaze darted back to me curiously as she
