I frowned.
"What?"
Lily stared at me as though she couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.
"You really don't know?"
A strange, heavy feeling settled deep in my stomach.
"Know what?"
Lily's lips trembled.
"The rumors."
"What rumors?"
For a long moment, she simply looked at me — eyes swimming with things she wanted to say. Then a small, broken sound escaped her: a laugh with no joy in it.
"Of course." Her gaze dropped away. "Of course you wouldn't know."
My patience snapped sharp and hot.
"Lily."
She flinched.
"Tell me."
For a heartbeat, it looked as though she might give in — as if she desperately needed to pour everything out. But then her gaze drifted outward: toward the high castle walls, toward the servants hurrying past, toward the guards standing rigid at every post… toward the whole watchful world around us. Slowly, she bit her lip until colour faded from it. Fresh tears welled and spilled.
"No."
"What do you mean — no?"
