¬ Hiln
My heart lurched into my throat when I nearly collided with him.
We both stopped short, barely a foot apart. I registered the figure before me. He was tall, pale, with a mop of short, wavy white curls and eyes that made my breath catch.
They looked just like that of a snake's. Vertical slits for pupils, ringed by vivid green and flecked with gold like scattered coins at the bottom of a clear pool.
He stared at me.
I stared back.
Behind me, Becca and Edna made a strangled sound.
"Your Highness!" They dropped into a deep bow, Becca's voice pitched high with alarm.
Edna started mumbling, "Forgive us—we did not expect— we had heard of your delegation visiting, but we did not think we'd find you here—please forgive the intrusion…"
Their panicked greeting washed over me, but I barely registered the rest of their words. My attention was fixed on the person before me.
