Chapter 6

Camilla pressed her palms against the cool stone balustrade of the palace’s upper gallery and leaned forward, drinking in the sight below. The air carried the scent of night-blooming flowers and the deep, musky promise of celebration—the post–full moon festival in full swing. Even from her high perch, she could feel the thrum of excitement, the muted heartbeat of music and dancing feet.

A gentle hand at her elbow startled her. Two of the palace maids bowed and gestured for her to follow. Camilla drew a steadying breath, flicked a loose strand of dark hair from her face, and let them lead her through a corridor whose walls were sheathed in tapestries depicting hunting scenes and battles of old.

After only a few turns, they paused outside a pair of towering ebony doors. One maid knocked lightly; th