Irenya struggled upright, more asleep than awake, listening, but the clamour was inside her head. Now! Go now! She was tired, so very tired. Leave, before someone forces you to stay.
She slid from beneath the quilt, her body still stiff from riding and heavy from lack of sleep. The shutters were open to the moonlight. Aeryl had thoughtfully hung out a dress for her and left a lamp glowing in each room. Nearby lay the ruby Elaaron had given her at Winter Solstice, and suddenly she was wide awake. The gem was cold in her palm. His cruel words at Akkod hurt her again with their vehemence and finality. She had wanted him to like her. Now she was sneaking off in the middle of the night without a word of goodbye. His low opinion of her would be further tarnished. So what, O’Neil? You’re not per
