I drew the heavy patchwork curtains, shutting out the darkness. I set out my toiletries on a chest of drawers and peered at my tired face in a cracked gilt mirror. I hoped the blemishes were on the mirror’s surface and not mine. Contemplating the luxury of a bath, it occurred to me that, although...
He’d been still and silent for so long, I felt sure he must have fallen asleep, but then he moved, suddenly and decisively, and got out of bed. Taking his sword with him, he walked over to the writing desk and shut the laptop. I don’t think I imagined it. The temperature i...