Book 2 - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – The Queen Waits

With Mistress Nakti and the servants out of her room, Hope used this time to her advantage. She changed into the gown she picked to sell her ruse—a combination of gold and silver see-through fabric that had a long slit on the left part and a provocative dip on the neckline. She placed jewelry around her neck and ears too to complete the effect—ruby red diamonds and black opal that accented her red lipstick and shiny, long black hair. She was the picture of a seductive harem woman then, and she was satisfied with this.

Elevated sandals crossed the doorway as she quickly strode out. Her plan was to check Solene in all rooms of the tower, with the idea that maybe she was placed secretly in one without the mistress’ knowledge, or maybe the old woman was lying in the very beginning and just chose to withhold information from her.

Whatever the cause may be, Hope was dead set to find Solene, anyway.<