Chapter 84

Valerie

I waited until the next day, then I went seeking Xavier.

It was much easier to look around for him now that my status as a maid was well known. I was the Princess’s handmaid—and as the others had made it sound, the title was one of prestige among the servants.

Since the day she had selected me from the line of girls, I was allowed to pace the halls alone without question from the guards. And my fears of being attacked at any given moment lessened. It seemed they knew that if the princess’s chosen maid was harmed in any way, they would be punished harshly for their crimes.

Not that I cared anymore.

My old fears were so far away from me. Now I was only afraid of one thing.

Xavier.

I braved myself as I stood outside his door, trying to stitch up the stinging hole in my heart. Trying to map out the words I would say to him in my head. Every time I managed to form something coherent, it slipped right from my mind.

I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t grasp onto the words and weave