Chapter 42: Inside Castle Diric

At the break of dawn, Auriana was up and getting ready for the day. Although she had very little sleep, her talk with her grandfather had helped steel her resolve even further. Knowing that Lyrus would be there, too, gave her something to look forward to besides beating up a few male shifters.

Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, a knock was headed on her door, and she frowned. Sniffing the air to pick the scent, she smiled and went to open the door.

"Good morning, Your Highness. You requested my presence, and here I am, my Princess," Astrid was behind the door, and Auriana couldn't be happier to see her. They both smiled and hugged each other for a while.

"I am sorry I didn't send for you earlier," Auriana apologized. It must have been inconvenient for them to travel during the night and sleep in a carriage. She knew how uncomfortable that was.