The Queen Who Ruled by Herself

The morning after Neya's Day at the Keep was quiet. The staff was sleepy and subdued, for while everyone who was eligible had been out the night before till all hours, work still waited for them in the morning.

Ellika and Sedra had not been out all night but instead had spent a quiet night playing cards. ("It's so unfair I have to stay home!" Ellika had huffed. "Do be quiet and deal," Sedra had replied.) This morning they were up early, breakfasting alone in the cheerful morning room.

"Where d'you suppose Mama is? She almost never sleeps in, not even after a Spectacle," said Ellika.

To Love a Goddess