Chapter 39

• The queen's birthday party was in full swing, a grand event that took place in the royal gardens.
• Members of her court were in attendance, all radiant and smiling, while I fought to keep the sadness away from my face. Though I'd turned down a life with him, my heart couldn't stop squeezing each time a thought of him came up.
• I searched my father through the sea of nobles and calmed a bit when I saw his leathered face. A boisterous laugh tore from his chest and I felt a small smile form on my lips, reminded of my reason to stay. I had lost one parent. I couldn't lose the other.