Chapter 29
Dusk was burnishing the sky when Thorne and I returned to the castle. We’d tarried long in the Darkwood, and I had only a short time to make myself presentable for dinner. I hurried to my room, nearly running into Neeve as I rushed down the corridor.
“Rose.” She took my shoulder. “Is something the matter?”
“Only that I’m late,” I said. “Has the bell rung already?”
“A few minutes ago. Whatever have you been doing?” She reached up and brushed a few pieces of fern from my hair, then plucked out a bit of moss and held it up. “Did you fall in the forest?”
A fierce blush heated my cheeks. “In a manner of speaking.”
She looked at me a moment, then comprehension dawned. “Ah. You and Thorne are making the most of your time together, I see.”
“I need to get ready for dinner,” I said
