Marianna,
I slept better than I expected last night. The raw energy from the fight with those wolves had burned away the heavy fatigue that clung to me since arriving at Blackhowl. My body felt lighter, my muscles loose and ready, as if the clash had reminded me exactly who I was beneath this forced role.
But the moment I stirred this morning, something in the air felt off. A low hum of voices drifted through the walls of my chamber, distant yet insistent.
I tried to ignore it at first, slipping into the warm bath I had promised myself. The water soothed my skin, carrying away the last traces of tension, scented faintly with herbs that filled the room with a calming, earthy aroma. Steam rose around me, fogging the edges of the large mirror. For a few precious minutes, peace held.
That
