The knock came just before what Nicole assumed was morning.
Not that mornings truly existed in Gorris.
The skies outside remained dim and colorless, the kingdom trapped beneath permanent gray as though sunlight itself avoided the land.
Nicole sat upright immediately having the sheet cover her body.
Jasper looked up from the papers scattered across the table near the fireplace, his expression sharpening at once.
Another knock followed.
More forceful this time.
Jasper stood before Nicole could move. "Stay here."
She hated when he said that now.As if safety still existed anywhere in this kingdom.The doors opened slowly.Three guards stood outside.
And behind them The same councilman who had first identified Nicole's hunting lineage.
His dark eyes immediately found her.
Not Jasper but he quickly sheilded the man's view from seeing his wife in bed.
"Lord Jasper," he greeted smoothly. "Lady Nicole."
Nicole suppressed a shiver.
