Chapter Thirty-Eight
I rushed to the back of the room on silent feet and ducked behind one of the tapestries without thinking. I chose the one that stood directly behind the white throne, since it was the deepest in shadow and the least likely to be noticed if I managed to betray myself with any hint of movement.
The thick satin fabric enclosed me in darkness. I pressed my back flat against the marble of the wall behind me to avoid any telltale lumps. I could feel its chill, even through my tunic. For a moment, I remained completely still in the stuffy blackness. I breathed through my mouth to avoid irritating my nose when I recognized the dry scent of dust on the back of the sable banner.
I heard the sound of the screen sliding closed against its wooden frame, followed by a pair of muf
