As the grand clock in the corridor chimed softly, Isabella was stirred from her slumber by a faint tapping against the balcony doors. She rolled over to the edge of the bed as she released the multitude of pillows she held as she slept. She rose from her bed and moved toward the tapping at the curtains of the balcony door to investigate, her heart pounding with curiosity. She pulled the curtain slightly back so that she could peer through the glass door, piercing blue eyes glistened in like the stars in the night sky.
The doors swung open, and there stood Alexander, shrouded by the moonlight. Isabella hesitated for a moment, her only garment being her nightclothes, but a rush of emotions and questions swept over her, urging her to invite him inside. Fear flicked through her heart, was she found out? Did Elara recognize her? Would she need to leave this life now?
