ROME

stood by the stone bridge, the uniform neat and clean, a small lantern in my hand

ed in glittering gowns and sharp tuxedos, occasionally strolled down the path. I would hold up my lante

power and privilege that had once been

, shielded by the brim of my maid's cap, never stopped scanning the

in my pocket pressed against my thigh. It

ding the lantern was growing numb. A knot of anxiety tightened in my

I saw

oat, and the world seemed

Holland

He was laughing, his head thrown back, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. Even from a d

olt of pure, black hatred through me. That smile onc

htly unsteady as he started down the path toward the bridge, clearly having had too mu

t. The per

e a trapped bird. I forced myself to take a

y cap obscure most of my face. I made myself

iling, his back to me. He stared down at the dark water, where the

to my pocket, my fingers closing around the col

e to move, to lunge, he spoke

a glass

umed I was a nearby attendant,

like this. There were guards patrolling the garde

hy quality to it. "There is no water here, sir.

oice seemed to sn

owed. He squinted, trying to focus on me in t

a frown creasing his brow as

I bowed my head lower, my body t

l had stripped away his charming facad

th, I slowly lifted my head, my eyes wide with the prac

fell upon

expression sharpened instan

ked on my eyes. The green eyes I had inherited fr

ulous suspicion, washed over