Arla exhaled a deep sigh of relief as she watched Isabel finally retire for the night.
She had been waiting for this moment all evening. All this while, she had wanted to leave, but she couldn't.
Her face hurt from endless forced smiles, her cheeks felt stiff from engaging in idle conversation with the other witches that she could hardly stand.
The feast had gone on longer than she’d anticipated, and all she had wanted was to slip away unnoticed.
But with Isabel present, it had been impossible.
As soon as she was sure Isabel must have entered her personal chambers, Arla rose quietly from her seat and murmured her goodbyes.
Retrieving the chest where it was, Arla cradled it protectively in her arms and moved to leave the room.
Just as she was about to step out of the door, a voice
