“It was easier than working under the cook at Tiadun, and I wanted my freedom. I didn’t have to answer to anyone for that one season,” Darna said. “If the prince had acknowledged me, I would have been trapped at Tiadun keep forever. I never felt anything but caged when I was there, and the thought of never escaping it was unbearable, even if Calar wasn’t trying to kill me then. I think he would have, if he’d known.”
“He didn’t know, nor did anyone else at the keep, as far as I know. I never learned about you until the end. No one really thought that it mattered, I suppose, as long as it was possible that – that we could have had a son. I loved Tiadun keep, though, at least my rooms in it. They had a lovely view over the bay. But then, I helped rule the place for a time. It felt like the f
