I grasped Beth's hand in mine, choking on tears that I refused to let escape. All the hatred I had previously held for the woman had seemed to vanish in an instant. It occurred to me that I had never hated her, that in fact I had loved her. She was the closest thing to a mother I had at the castle. She was the first to take care of me, and she had been there ever since.
My hatred for her lived with Carla, but I was not blind to the guilt Beth felt towards her sister. Yet even still I had buried the woman with my words and acted hateful ever since.
I listened as Carter asked Anne what had happened, and watched as she looked over at Carter with anguish in her eyes. I could not imagine the emotions eating at the Prince's heart. Beth had been to Carter as Carla had been to me, after both of
