74

Camille

"Sometimes we need a good cry." Ehlga strokes my hair.

"Thank you for defending me. I don't think I could have done it even if I didn't feel so wretched."

"That's okay. That was a long time coming. Gytha deserved it."

"Some of what she said was true, though."

"No, there was no truth to her words."

I dab away the last of my tears with the heel of my hand and nod. "Yes, Ehlga. I'm sure you know what happened between Alessio and me."

She sighs. "That doesn't mean Gytha was right."

"I understand how he feels about how I reacted that night, but there's nothing I can do about my father or Richard." My voice comes out in a choked rasp.

"Has he told you anything more about the past?"

"Not much. He told me his mother was killed and that he lived here with her when he was younger, then Denmark, then Russia. That's essentially all I know about Alessio's past."

She searches my eyes. "Then I think maybe the right time has come for me to tell you."

My spirit lifts at this possibility. "Will