After several tense days, Ajax finally gave me the news. The countess had been thrown into the dungeon. He said the emperor had nearly choked her death, but let go at the very last moment. A waning, he had said. Just a warning. The thought chilled me. I didn't know if I should feel relief… or fear. But today, that dark memory had to be pushed aside, because today was my birthday.
I stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing the girl reflected back at me.
