The palace gardens were quiet at twilight.
Most of the court had retired to prepare for the evening meal. The servants were in the kitchens. The guards were changing shifts. Only the night jasmine and the fountain kept company with Lysa and Captain Rowan as they walked the winding path between the hedges.
"We shouldn't be here," Lysa said, though she made no move to leave.
"The gardens are open to everyone."
"You know what I mean." She glanced back at the palace. "People talk. And after the peace accord, tensions are still high. A human attendant walking with a wolf captain..."
"Is exactly what the accord was supposed to protect." Rowan stopped and turned to face her. "You're not a servant anymore, Lysa. You're the queen's personal attendant. You have a title. A room in the noble wing. You belong here."
"It doesn't feel like belonging. It feels like... borrowing. Like someone will tap me on the shoulder and tell me there's been a mistake."
