The moon hovered high above Valtoria Palace, its pale light rendering the rose bushes of the east garden into silver specters. I crouched behind the low stone wall that separated the hedges from the marble walkway, blade in hand and senses straining for any hint of movement. My breath puffed in steamy wisps, and every rustle of leaves made my heart stutter. Marisella's slipper—still lying as I'd left it—glowed softly in the moonlight, a single testament to her peril. I pressed a hand to the wall, steadying myself. I would find her.
A distant fountain whispered behind me, its trickle the only sound that felt natural in this hushed world. The flicker of lantern light spilled from a distant corridor, but here, in the heart of the garden maze, shadows claimed everything. I rose from my crouch, dagger hidden beneath my coat, and advanced down a narrow path bordered by sculpted boxwood. My footsteps fell lightly on the grass's edge, careful not to disturb the dew.
