Chapter 27

  Niya was glad that her morning meal was sent to her room. She is not in the mood for a family picnic every day. Avoiding the royalty is not a choice now but to act like a proper maiden all the time is stifling. Her hands itch to hold the sword and her mind is stuck where she left it last night, in a prince’s lair. The very prince she cannot decide to hate or admire. So when Juno came and knocked on her door she was already annoyed, not at him but on herself.

  She gave him her answer and pitied the look of happiness on his face. Yet she couldn’t tell him the reason for her acceptance of his proposal for the night, could not disclose the rejection she received. Niya is not like those girls who in her tribe often boasted about breaking hearts and also squabble for male attention. For her everything is a battle and she likes to fight with dignity.