It had been well past dawn when each of us decided to go home and hit the covers—in my case, back to my bedroom in the palace. The whole time Lavi escorted me, he was awfully quiet. Probably too tired to even speak. I didn't mind the silence one bit, enjoyed the pleasure of it that wasn't found in the festive city. I was pretty burnt-out myself so I didn't make too much of a fuss about it.
I'd woken to Anette scrambling the curtains to open, allowing the sunlight to stream into my face. I uncoiled, my back and thighs numb and aching. I curled my toes, feeling the welts on my feet caused by the heels. The pain had almost become nonexistent last night as I was too distracted by the amusements of Floralia. Unfortunately, along the way back, it was real as could be, making me drag my feet in the hallways. Lavi probably noticed. Perhaps he didn't. Not that I cared.
