Chapter 39 Empty

• I was sure now that Alexander had read my father’s letter. Even still, he had been trying to give me the benefit of the doubt when he confronted me. That left a margin of hope for me to hold onto.
• The sun was setting as I rode back to the palace, and it was full dark by the time I was walking up to our bedroom door. But I knew even before opening it that Alexander would not be inside. I could feel his absence.
• Sure enough, the room was dark and empty. I locked the door behind me and went to sit on the bed. Looking over at Alexander’s side, I wondered where he might be. And when, or if, he would come home to me.