‘Tomorrow, at sunrise then,’ he said. ‘At the city gates.’ And with that, he turned and slipped away through the streets, his cloak swinging behind him. I made my way back to the palace alone. Although my body betrayed me, yearning to invite him back to my chamber again, I felt released too. Behind the safety of the bolted door, I would let myself feel pity for both of us, just for tonight. But tomorrow would be the start of something new.
