#Chapter 28: Nightstand Notes

Alan eventually returned to the palace with anger on his face and dirt on his clothes. He approached us looking criminally defeated, and there were bags under his eyes like he hadn’t slept in days. I was still frozen in place, my mind folding over the threat, trying to analyze it. A valid theory was that the woman in the woods who gave Theo “water” was Emily. She had failed to kill me, but maybe she was warning me that she was preparing to attempt again? That theory was cemented by the fact a maidservant was not only threatening me, but using Emily’s name as well. “We didn’t find any trace of the son of a bitch again,” Alan snapped, and Danika abruptly shushed him, implying a sleeping Theo in the next room. “Sorry I’m frustrated,” Alan sneered, narrowing his eyes at my sister, “have you done anything to help?” “I did, actually,” she argued, and a smirk split her face. I noticed the amusement kissing her features as they spoke, and the secret a