Mable smiled down at her, a cup of tea in her hand. Amaris rubbed at her eyes, uncomprehending. The matron extended the warm teacup. Amaris sat up slowly, accepting the teacup. She looked around the graying morning light of the room for an explanation as to why Mable was there.

No one had ever brought her tea in bed.

“Today is your big day.”

The porcelain cup was hot in her hands but felt nice against the cool morning air. She was still too groggy to understand what was being said. She blinked repeatedly at Mable, willing something about the matron’s words to click into place.

Amaris frowned at the matron. Mable responded by tucking a tuft of hair behind Amaris’s ear and allowing her lips to twist into a light, sad smile. The matron kept her voice hushed as she spoke.

“You get to move on to your next adventure today,” Mable said, feigning quiet cheerfulness. Her words were bright, but her face was tightly controlled against thinly veiled pity. “We were so lucky to have you in Farleigh for so long, little moon. The Madame is downstairs in the dining room. She and Matron Agnes are having tea as we speak. The Madame would like to share breakfast with you before you leave. It’s a long journey to the coast, after all, and you shouldn’t go on an empty stomach. Get dressed and wash your face. I’ll see you downstairs soon.”

“Matron Mable—”

“Yes, little one?”

Adrenaline flooded her into a fully alerted state. Her breathing came out in rapid, shallow questions. She asked, “How can she be here? How can she in Farleigh already? Priory is two weeks away.”

Mable made a sympathetic face. “She must have been close by when she received the raven, little one. Enjoy your tea. Wash your face. We’ll see you downstairs in a moment.”

No. This was impossible.

It had scarcely been one week since the raven had gone out. The bird shouldn’t have been able to reach Priory that quickly, let alone a carriage to make the trek this far north. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t even first light. Nox wouldn’t have woken yet. They were going to leave tonight. They had planned to run. Now she was being told they’d never have the chance to flee.

Amaris swallowed, working through her dread. She set her tea to the side without taking a sip. First, she needed to get up, but she couldn’t stand while her head was spinning. Amaris closed her eyes and forced herself to breathe in the cold morning air slowly through her nose, then exhaled slowly through her mouth until she could think clearly. She would not be a helpless damsel. She would be strong. She would be capable. She would not be taken.