I clutched the letter meant for the King nervously as I made my way down the long corridor. Mrs. Potts had informed me that I could find him in the underground gym, where the elite warriors trained.
My mind kept wandering back to our last encounter—how he'd somehow marked me during the night. The small red seal on my inner wrist throbbed occasionally, like a gentle reminder of his claim.
I was so lost in thought that I almost collided with Fiona, another maid who had been kind to me since my arrival.
"Sera!" she exclaimed, grabbing my shoulders to steady me. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Did you hear what happened last night?"
I tensed immediately. "What do you mean?"
Her eyes widened with excitement as she leaned in closer. "Those three women you selected for the King? They were thrown out of the castle—literally!"
"What?" I gasped.
