Chapter 5
The warder and Paulette took their leave, surrounded by guards, and I was left to face Mama and the king.
“Be careful,” Lord Raine said, his voice stern.
I knew he meant I should guard Raine’s secrets closely, not that he was expressing concern over my safety. Mama, however, was frightened for me, as was clear from the stark expression in her eyes.
“My darling.” She stood and rounded the table, then draped herself over me in a disconsolate embrace. “Please, don’t go.”
The scent of her perfume was smothering. I patted her arm and tried to lean away without letting her fall against the bench.
“She must go,” the king said. “She said she would, and a princess of Raine does not break her word.”
“Don’t worry, Mama,” I said, finally managing to scoot out from under her embrace. “
