Camilla stood up abruptly, the chair scrapping against the floor with a scratching sound. She froze where she stood near her desk. Her shoulders went stiff, and the quiet yawn that had been forming on her lips vanished in an instant. Her heart gave a hard, sudden thud inside her chest, beating so fast it made her feel breathless.
The voice had been faint, raspy, and barely louder than a breath, but she knew that voice better than her own name.
Slowly, Camilla turned her body away from the desk. Her bare feet made no sound against the thick rug as she took a tentative step forward. The spacious bedroom was dark, save for the single oil lamp flicker casting long, warm shadows across the floorboards.
She walked slowly towards the big canopy bed situated on the far side of the room. Her hands hung nervously by her sides, her fingers twitching with uncertainty. With every step she took, her mind raced with fear and hope.
