Following behind The Princess Royal, Lina Riley couldn't help a wave of emotion. Time was truly a miraculous thing—once, merely seeing The Princess Royal had terrified her, but now that same presence filled her with quiet joy.
They were making their way out of the city on foot; no horses, just walking. Lina picked up her pace until she was walking alongside The Princess Royal. Lacking much to say, she asked about her health.
The Princess Royal stopped and turned to look at her. Suddenly, she reached out and brushed her fingers across Lina's cheek. "You seem to have lost some weight."
It must have been an illusion; Lina ate well enough. She still experienced nightmares occasionally, but in time they had dulled to a sort of numb acceptance. Yet the spot where The Princess Royal's fingers had grazed felt a lingering tingle. Lina raised her own hand to rub at it; noticing The Princess Royal smiling, she lowered her hand in embarrassment.
