I watched as the rest of the travelers continued down the road while I stepped into the forest.
I knew that it wouldn't be long until I disappeared into the shadows and the people of Valgertha would never see me again. I had to get back home.
I had to make sure that my daughter was alright, that they hadn't hurt her because I'd been taken against my will away from Ravenrath.
Very powerful people had held sway over my life ever since she'd been born. In exchange for my full cooperation, she had been allowed to live.
I had done what a queen should never have done. I had given the king a daughter and not a son. I had been punished for it time and time again, but despite Thranar's constant efforts, I hadn't borne him a child since.
And now that he was dead, I never would. I didn't know if the next appointed king would kill her since her very existence threatened his reign.
