I dreamt of Victoria that night. Gentle, breathtaking Victoria with sparkling sapphire eyes, fair skin, and almond hair that waterfalled down her shoulders in loose ringlets. Lorelyn, the place she called home, lay far to the northwest of Anastas, within the Isten Mountains. Jeremi met her on a leisure trip and they fell in love within the few days they spent together. Her beauty brought many sidelong glances from the men of Anastas, but she only had eyes for Jeremi and myself. I loved her with all of my heart.

My dream was of a nigh forgotten memory, safely tucked away in the depths of my mind.

Since the age of thirteen I had served the Terryns; cooking, cleaning, tending to the gardens, and responding to their every need. By my twenty-third nameday they had given me my own room, supplied me with a full wardrobe, and many times invited me to share in their evening pleasures.

Mere months before I’d become their Ring, the summer’s illness took its toll on the Terryn household. It put me in bed for six days that seemed never-ending. Victoria had taken it upon herself to care for me, and the tenderness she displayed only deepened my affection for her.

That particular evening, Victoria had personally bathed me, dressed me, and brewed a large mug of tea that soothed my constantly aching throat. I had positioned myself atop soft pillows while she lounged close behind me, deftly plaiting my hair with practiced fingers.

“I wish I could braid as quickly as you can,” I said longingly.

“We’ll keep practicing once you are well.” Everything she said sounded like a soft melody meant only for my ears. I never heard Victoria raise her voice in anger.

“Thank you for caring for me, my lady-”

“Victoria,” she corrected patiently. “Josselyn, you are very important to Jeremi and I. We want you to feel at home.”

“I’ve always been comfortable here.” I took another sip of tea, struggling for more I could say. Comfortable was an understatement, this was my home. There were a few beats of companionable silence while she separated another section of hair to braid.

“Do you think about your parents often?” The question surprised me. My family wasn’t generally a topic of conversation.

“For a long time, I did. Not...anymore. I was worth more in gold than shared blood to them. I...I’ve long since let it go.” I toyed with a loose thread on one of the cushions. “You and Jeremi are closer to me than my true family ever was.”

Victoria tied off the end of her work and shifted around so we were face to face. She brushed a stray strand of hair from my cheek with cool fingertips and smiled, setting hundreds of butterflies free in my stomach.

“We will stay by your side always, my sweet. You should remember that.” Clasping my free hand in her own, her demeanor was suddenly serious. “There are some very important things that Jeremi and I have been discussing recently. Soon we may ask you to make a very personal decision. I want you to know that whatever your choice, we will still love you... Josselyn?”

I didn’t understand the sudden droplets that fell on our clasped hands. Why was I crying?

“Josselyn?” The voice was no longer hers, yet still familiar. “Josselyn are you alright?”

One image blurred into the next as I regained consciousness. Adrien lay beside me, one arm beneath the pillow supporting my head. The other hand caressed my cheek, wiping away fresh tears.

“Adrien,” a sharp pain in my chest labored my breathing.

“Shhh it’s alright, I’m right here.” His lips brushed my forehead as I became increasingly cognizant of our naked bodies pressed together. “You were shaking so violently. Did you have a nightmare?”

“No. Victoria...She was...I...what have I done?” I’d betrayed them. I’d barely had time to mourn their deaths before I allowed another man to take me to his bed. My vision blurred as the sobs built in the back of my throat.

“Let it out, love. Let yourself cry.” He pulled me closer and I did just that. “You’re safe here, nothing can hurt you.”

“I broke my vows. How could I?” I cried.

“Josselyn you did no such thing.” He stroked my hair and muttered words of comfort against my forehead.

We will stay by your side always. I clung to Adrien and allowed every heartbroken, bitter, angry emotion I held since I’d discovered their bodies to take its time in my heart.

I wept myself numb and Adrien never left my side. His embrace had a grounding effect that reminded me why I allowed myself to let go the previous evening. Eventually, my breathing evened and the tears stopped.

“I’m sorry…” I wiped my eyes and buried my face in his chest. “I didn’t mean—”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He tipped my chin up, his gaze meeting mine. “What do you say we share something to eat and I’ll show you Valford?”

I smiled and nodded. Learning the city was the right step in making it feel like home.

“A smile suits you much better than tears, Josselyn.” He kissed my forehead and moved from the bed to get dressed. “If you’re alright with the clothes the girls here wear, for now, we’ll start refilling your wardrobe.”

“Anything is better than that prison garb,” I looked around the room to find the paper-thin white gown was gone. “Which I hope you burned.”

“Near enough,” he laughed, fastening his tunic closed. He went to the wardrobe and returned in short time with a skirt and bodice identical to the servant’s clothes. “These should fit for the time being.”

I slipped from beneath the sheets and took the clothing from him. The fabrics were well weighted and finely woven. No expense spared even for his servants. As I slipped one leg into the skirt, the door to the bedroom opened.

“Adrien—” A young woman entered, dressed for travel. Long red curls framed her porcelain face. Emerald green eyes measured my naked body before returning to Adrien. “I wasn’t aware you were hiring a…new girl.”

“Isabelle, you’re late,” Adrien sighed. “I’ve told you when I need you here and it’s not up for discussion.”

“I’m...sorry, m’lord.” Her perfect red lips pursed, her gaze digging into me. I managed to slip into the skirt and was doing my best to string the bodice on my own.

“Don’t let it happen again, I mean it.”

“Who is she?” Isabelle continued, her tone flat.

“My name is Josselyn Thorn. I’m—”

“A Whisper,” the words were toxic on her tongue. She did nothing to hide her distaste.

“Isabelle,” Adrien cautioned, “you will address Josselyn as if you’re speaking to me.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Is that so?”

“Lady Thorn will be living here from now on. You will attend to her every need. Do you understand me?”

I finished lacing the bodice and met Isabelle’s cold eyes.

“Of course, m’lord.”

“Go get dressed and find Lily before she burns down the kitchen.”

Isabelle took her leave without another word. A shiver ran through me. She was beautiful. She was breathtaking. She hated every fiber of my being.

“She barks worse than she bites. I’ll make sure she minds her manners,” Adrien said calmly.

“I’m sure she’s just surprised,” I said, despite the fact that I wasn’t sure at all.

“You may be right. Nevertheless, perhaps we should find breakfast in the city.” Adrien took my hand and led on to introduce me to Valford. To my new home.