he bleak hours between four and five tha

each furnished with refined elegance and in the tasteful

fireplace. She was as beautiful as an angel, though her modest attire marked

h a single, silent g

ith which it was delivered. Her mistress showed no sorrow. But when Lily linger

tumbled over her bare shoulders. One hand supported her proud brow; her lips, slightly parted, revealed perfect white teeth.

ng-more a visi

n she s

rose in one swift motion, standing tall, majestic. The firelight caught the folds of her robe, tracing

like a woman mou

warrior queen-an

r-a presence that commanded, even in silence. This was not

amp. She was about to leave when something stopped he

ok directly at her, eyes soft

portrait of

where Antheia's beauty carried the shadow of pride and fury, her mother's was gentle,

ia st

st

re than love

was wo

once, tears spilled from he

them awa

place in what sh

ound, she l

orridor. The mansion was silent; dawn had not yet broken. The lamp's

f the passag

ened t

epped

er broth

deathbed. He had fallen into slumber less than fifteen minutes earlier,

ouching her lips. Her cheeks, pale moments ago, f

tion, she move

rched h

nd

e

had placed in his h

n't falter. She turned and l

, she stopped again-this time

rtbeat, she

nd tre

urrowed in

hardened. He

d to say. Now is not

ered th

sheet. The face-drawn tighter by the band tied

prepared the bod

s to witness what

oss the room with st

d the closet-the locked chamber tie

loomed be

rembled i

e turn