For a split second, Akeylah thought it was Ren. Her hair was the same color, and she had that oh-so-Kolonyan regal nose. But then Akeylah noticed this girl’s wider face, higher brow, wider-set eyes. Not to mention her clothes, the kind of gown serving maids wore.

Akeylah’s face flushed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

The girl, for her part, looked even more horrified and embarrassed than Akeylah. She flung herself out of the bed, straightening her gown, grabbing the covers. “No, I’m sorry, ah, my lady. I didn’t… I mean, I wasn’t…” Between her bleary eyes and the bags underneath, not to mention the mussed bed she was now hurriedly remaking, Akeylah could guess what the maid had been doing. It must be exhausting to serve ladies in this Keep. She’d need to sneak in rest where she could.

“It’s all right, really.” Akeylah spread her hands, palms up, to put the girl at ease. “I was just looking for my sister Florencia.”

The girl’s hands stilled. “Ren?”

The use of the nickname stirred Akeylah’s memory. Of course. Ren had served downstairs, must have friends among the maids.

Meanwhile, the girl’s gaze darted past Akeylah, toward the windows. The sun outside cast a long shadow across Ren’s hardwood floor. “She told me I could rest here while she went to the baths. I must have dozed off… But she ought to be back soon. That was only half an hour ago at most.”

“Where are the baths?” Akeylah asked, tone sharper than she intended.

The girl tilted her head. Considered Akeylah for a moment. “I’ll walk you down there,” she said finally. “It’s a bit tricky to find on the first go.”

They strolled out of the chamber together. After a moment’s silence, the girl spoke up again. “I’d, um… I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention to anyone about me lying down on the job. It’s just, Ren and I have an understanding, and—”

“No need to explain yourself to me. Honestly,” Akeylah added when the girl flashed her a doubtful glance. “I’m Akeylah, by the way. Did you work with Ren? I mean… before all this.”

“Audrina.” She bowed, shrinking in on herself in a way Akeylah recognized all too well. “And yes. Ren and I worked together as ladies’ maids, before she found out about her heritage.”

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Audrina. And I completely understand why you’d need a break; I had a difficult enough time serving my own family back at home. I can’t imagine what it’s like to serve so many noblewomen here, especially given how… ah…”

“Finicky they can be?” Audrina supplied with a shy smile.

Akeylah returned it. “I was going to say spoiled.”