Chapter 27

“I had a sister once. She died many years ago. You and your sister remind me of the way we were.” Rowena paused, smiling dryly at Seraphine. “I imagine that whatever I say to your sister will be repeated to you anyway. You might as well stay and hear it now.”

She turned and motioned to Elowyn. “Come here, girl.”

Elowyn stood in front of Alaric’s mother. Rowena reached out and pulled a strand of her hair free from her braid, rubbing it between her fingers.

“Mirella is right, you know. Your hair is very beautiful.”

“Thank you, m’lady.”

“I imagine it has brought you nothing but trouble and sorrow your entire life, has it not?”

Elowyn didn’t reply as Rowena continued to study her hair in the sunlight.

“Yet you wear it proudly. You choose not to cover it or perhaps cut it short so that the red is not as noticeable. I admire that. I do.”

She smiled and released Elowyn’s hair.

“My son is very taken with you. Tell me, was Mirella telling