After her dream-like, terrifying night of little sleep, an assigned personal servant awakened her early. The sun was not yet up.
“Good morning, Ember. My name is Padgett. I’ll be helping you bathe and dress this morning.” The maid’s face, round and bright, reminded Ember of a full moon. Her eyes were a watery blue and deep set. Kind of like little pools, Ember thought with some amusement. Ember’s eyes took in her stiff, pressed uniform, a tangerine orange. Pretty high Status for a servant. But this was the Magistrate’s home, after all.
Ember thought about resisting. But she was weary, and her spirit was wounded. Better to just suck it up. She had to get dressed, after all.
“I don’t need a shower, Padgett. I—I had one late last night.”
To Ember’s relief, Padgett smiled. “I was hoping y
