Liora stood behind the storage room's door; her back was to the chilly wooden slats. Through the wood came piercing the voice of Queen Dowager Lilian as she was calling for Beatrice; this meant they were just around, outside of the storage room.
She swallowed hard and her throat was dry from thirst.
The first time she had seen Lilian, that was seared into her mind, not for what had been said but because of the way in which Lilian's eyes had met hers; they were cold. She looked at her with disgust. It was like the woman had peeled away all of Liora's layers with one glance and left her exposed and naked.
The memory made her stomach twist.
She hadn't screamed. She hadn't fought. She'd just stood there, her heart racing so fast she swore the others could hear it. Her voice had been silenced, snuffed out by the heavy burden of responsibilities, of obligations, of knowing no one was coming to rescue her.
Liora's hands shook as she let out a shuddering breath.
