Emma’s POV
With my nerves overwhelmed and my heart racing, I slid back into the palace. It had been more terrifying than I had thought to get in touch with my former Red Society contacts. The cost of the knowledge I had acquired threatened to destroy what little joy I still had as I moved through the poorly lighted hallways.
Outside Maya's room, I paused to collect myself. A guard approached, his face etched with concern. "Lady Emma, Her Majesty is waiting for you."
I nodded, trying to steady my shaking hands as I entered the room. Maya looked up from her desk, dark circles under her eyes betraying her lack of sleep. A weak smile crossed her face as she saw me.
"Emma, you're back. Did you find anything?"
I collapsed into a nearby chair, the exhaustion of the past few days finally catc
