It was a large, open space that stretched the expanse of the kitchen and had several cots lining the walls. It was usually reserved for the handmaidens, but ever since Seraphine had come into rule and the women had left the castle, it had sat empty—until now. “Are they awake?” he asked the guard posted by the door. The man looked him in the eye and gave a quick nod. “I believe so. They haven’t made much noise, but I thought I heard them stir earlier.” Ry’Ker rapped his knuckles on the wood and waited several seconds before turning the handle and stepping inside. His eyes scanned the room before he spotted Fiona standing at the foot of one of the cots in the far back corner. Without a word, he made his way towards them and watched the way she tracked him across the room. She was smart. He’d thought so the first time they’d spoken. And as she continued to monitor his movements, he knew there was more going on behind that watchful stare than she would ever say.
