Soon, Caleb is called away and Bethany returns to the room to help me get changed. Surprising to me still, Caleb left the knife in my possession. I covered it with the jeweled sheath and hold it, even as I follow Bethany into the closet to pick out the day’s outfit.
“I have news,” she says.
“Oh?”
“The handmaidens, we all talk,” Bethany says. “Almost all of the other harem members don’t pay us any mind. They treat us like pieces of furniture, or that we can’t see and hear. So when we get together, we share what we know.” Clearing her throat, she looks away. “Please don’t tell anyone I told you that.”
“I owe you my life, Bethany,” I say. “But even if I didn’t, your secret is safe with me.”
Bethany nods. “I figured as much. You’ve been consistently good to me.” She plucks one of the dres
