"You go on ahead, I will catch up," Penelope said.
The maid stared at her, mouth agape at her audacity. But as the knights began saluting, she hurried off, leaving Penelope behind.
Azriel emerged from the path. They parted for him and headed straight to the entrance of the castle. His gaze met Pen's, and as she opened her mouth to speak, he beat her to it.
"You shouldn't be here," he said in an angry hushed voice.
"I wanted to…"
"You should leave," he said.
Penelope bowed and hurried away as fast as her legs could carry her. She was about to enter the chamber she was to clean when a strong hand grabbed her, and she was pulled inside before she could react.
Azriel's frowning face was in her line of vision when she recovered.
"You haven't stopped with your spying?" He asked her.
"I wasn't spying, if I was, you wouldn't have caught me so easily, my Lord."
