way outside her room fell

her borrowed cloak tighter and glanced down at her phone. 18% battery. She

on the fla

osts. The corridor outside her chamber stretched ahead, lined with oil sconces, tapestries, a

nsane," sh

had come alive but this was no tour. She was liv

expected her

tall wooden door. From behind it cam

d the door open a

th folded silks, woolen shawls, and linens. In the corner, a h

ed with age, her eyes cloudy but sharp.

idn't mean to, I

hen gave a dry smile. "Still wandering at

rememb

promised to the king," she said, eyes narrowi

e quickened

ou hold your shoulders different now. And y

usly. "I guess tra

looked u

shelves, pretending to browse. "

d now, but I remember the girl who used to sneak sweetbr

heart

been, she was real.

"do you know what happened

rebels, or maybe enemies of the king. Others say you ran, fea

remember a

hat's for

know where I used to h

st Garden. Under the oldest tr

faintly. "

catch you out of bed.

and slipped

losed the door and leaned

st here. A personality. Fri

s pretendin

r phone. The screen glowed soft in the dark.

it on and c

t know how I got here. But I've landed in some alt

named Lady Seraphina. I have her face. Her birthmar

es. Doesn't trust me. I think he's dangerous... but s

r finds this... please believe me.

cording and set

, a

a f

ed before she

m on his tunic catching the moonlight through the win

disob

. "You were

asked the guards not to follow, bu

ldn't

right to roam a palace that

at do you want

licked up

mber my n

rd it

. "I want the tru

What if I say yes? W

N

at's the

me. Then, for the first time sin

" he said. "Alone. No music. Just... move

aid no

broken. The kind of broke

ce dipp

you're not..." He stopped. "Don't mak

ned to

hind him, she whispered, "What if

better learn to lie bet