"What are you doing?" Lady Maris's voice was laced with suspicion, her eyes narrowing as she took in Emmanuelle's frantic behavior.
It wasn't the first time servants had fled the palace with stolen goods, and Lady Maris quickly assumed Emmanuelle was one of them—sneaking away with Queen Isolde's belongings before sunrise, when the palace's vampire residents were at rest.
Startled, Emmanuelle jerked away, fear flashing across her face. She gritted her teeth, her body tense with panic, and spun on her heel, ready to bolt for the gate. But Lady Maris wasn't about to let her escape so easily.
"Guards! I need guards! There's a thief!" Lady Maris called out, her voice echoing through the quiet palace grounds.
Before the sound could travel far, Emmanuelle lunged forward, slapping her palm over Lady Maris's mouth. Her eyes were wide with terror, and despite the snow swirling around them, she was drenched in sweat. "Sshh! Please!"
