Chapter 76

Valerie

We returned to the palace after the incident, and the nurses promptly delivered lush, clean towels, which Alyssa wrapped herself in like a blanket.

Her father was awaiting us in her chambers when we returned. At first sight of the scowl on his face, I wanted to turn and run back out through the chamber doors.

“Where on earth have you been?” he asked, emphasizing each and every word. “Haven’t I told you not to wander around here? This is not our home. You do not know what sort of crimes happen within these walls.” He paused only when he noticed her drenched hair, and the anger on his face turned a vibrant shade of red. “What have you done? It looks as if you’ve gone for a swim. Did you lie about your sickness?”

Alyssa lowered her head. I expected her to blurt out a lie or fabricate a story on the spot—it only seemed to be her nature to manipulate, as she had tried to manipulate me—but Alyssa said nothing but, “I’m sorry.”

“This is a level of impotence I never expected to se