A Miracle

In the darkness of night, Brinn took her usual path to Aurora's old room. When she had first come to the palace, she had seldom felt like using the appropriate entrance. It was a habit she found hard to break.

The path was familiar, and even in the moonless night, Brinn had no problem picking her way up the wall. Her muscles remembered the way even when her eye could not see. 'This is much easier to do without Alvar,' she mused.

Pulling herself onto the wooden bannister, Brinn held her breath. She closed her eyes, listening intently to hear if anyone was within.

She could only hear and smell one occupant, and it was a human. Placing a tentative foot on the polished stone floor, Brinn tiptoed toward the pulled curtains that led into the bedchamber.

She stopped short of entering as her fingers brushed the velvety fabric. Something did not seem right. The curtains were pulled very tight--too tight. Running her finger along where the two curtains met, she could feel needles pinning togeth