When I’ve hidden the scroll, I move to the door to listen. No one seems to mind me; all I hear is laughter. I release my breath and I smile to myself. There is still time since the men are still outside and not at the dinner table. Clutching my racing heart, I bless my lucky moonstone for not being caught.
Since there is more time, I shift my stolen goods to walk more elegantly without being hindered. I even have time to practice sitting down before a bird woman with shining black feathers enters the room. Bending low, she indicates to me to follow. She doesn’t speak. It doesn’t surprise me since Prince Terra would never run his household as my mom does. His slaves must be suffering a great deal more than at home. Another reason to do what my mothers say I’m destined to do.
I follow the
