37
Allora
The sun shone brightly. Obscene in its joy. Filtering through the windows into the map room, casting light on the dust motes that drifted through the air. The sun didn’t know the world had stopped. Dudia had forgotten to tell her days should stop coming.
Allora sat on the floor at the center of the room, staring up at the maps. She’d never allowed herself to sit on the floor as a child. Such behavior was unbecoming of a lady.
The smoothness of the floor under her fingers surprised her. Seeing the difference from one piece of wood to another and not being able to feel it.
The other side of grief. I can feel it, but I can’t see it.
The maid had handed her a green dress as always. The cook had sent up breakfast.
The map room hadn’t changed. The most beautiful maps of Ilbrea e
