Chapter 23 A Simple Flower Bath

• “Lady Lyra, welcome back,” Ellie greeted her with a polite, shallow bow. “You must be terribly exhausted. Please, come inside. I shall take you to your chambers so you might freshen up.”
• Luna stepped carefully down from the carriage, her hands tightly clutching the heavy skirts of her gown to keep the fine fabric from dragging against the dirty cobblestones. A bone-deep exhaustion clung to her, but she forced her spine straight, desperately trying to hide her fatigue from any prying eyes.
• Ellie was the very first to welcome her. The young maid stood waiting in the cool shade of the grand oak doorway, dressed in her crisp uniform and wearing a genuinely warm, bright smile.