Chapter 73: The Butterfly Garden

AYLETH

Trayn had been a willing conspirator for her midnight meeting. When she'd whispered in her ear that she had to go back to her rooms, and would Trayn come with her, Trayn got up without hesitation and led her out to the main corridor.

Once they were out there, the guards Ayleth had known Falek would assign to her, had followed them to her rooms. Ayleth made sure to keep her face tense and pained, and didn't speak to Trayn until they'd reached her quarters and the guards had checked them for her, then taken their places outside the door in the hallway.

As soon as they were alone, Ayleth hushed her and dragged her into the bedroom.

When she asked Trayn to cover and tell anyone who asked she was suffering a stomach complaint, Trayn had gone wide eyed and giggled into her hands.

"I'll do it," she whispered, "but on one condition!"

Ayleth had frozen. "What's that?"