I bit my lip, trying to appear indifferent, yet the pain in my leg made me silently weep.
That evening, King Samuel returned to the Phoenix Wing.
My sister sternly cautioned me to keep my act together, threatening to starve my brother if I faltered.
Suppressing the pain in my leg, I strived to appear unaffected and composed.
As we lay together, Samuel inquired, "Feeling warm tonight? You seem to be sweating more than usual."
Startled, I quickly rubbed my palms on my underdress. "Perhaps the recent flurry of duties has me a bit overheated," I offered cautiously.
Oblivious, his hand wandered until pausing abruptly upon feeling my injured leg.
I bit down hard on my lip to silence any cry of pain.
He released me suddenly, shifting to lie beside me, and whispered soothingly, "Let's just sleep now."
My heart raced until his breathing evened out, signaling he was asleep, and only then did I dare relax.
He clung to me tightly throughout the night. Carefully, I maneuvered out of his grip, bit by bit, trying not to awaken him.
By the time I switched places with my sister, dawn was casting its first light.
Her gaze was sharp as a dagger, filled with silent fury, as if she wished me dead.