Chapter Sixteen

Miriam was learning a very different type of dancing under the eunuch’s watchful gaze. It involved sensual movements and rippling the belly in a way which was supposed to delight and entice. As was customary with her, she closed her eyes and thought of Ketil.

In some ways he was her lodestone, the talisman she used to get her through the tough times.

Not that she was suffering hardship. She had enough to eat and drink, though was becoming fed up with the sweetmeats which had been such an unexpected treat in the beginning.

Oh, for the hours of boredom when she indulged herself by reading under a tree, having escaped the confines of the palace.

Dreading the day when she would have to endure the attentions of the Masked King, she counted on her fingers and realised this whole torrid situation had taken place in just over a week. It was hard to believe.

Miriam had to admit it hadn’t been all bad spending time among the mercenaries. The fate she had dreaded on leaving the Great Hall had no