The keep had quieted by the time the hour grew late.
Athax did not sleep fully - not ever - but it softened. The louder movements of court gave way to quieter rhythms. Footsteps echoed less. Voices lowered. The vast corridors of stone seemed to hold their breath between one duty and the next.
Aya stood outside her chamber door for a moment longer than necessary, waiting for Bason to round the corner as he always did after he had his dinner. There were days when he would take his leisurely time and stroll over to where the other Queensguard were and it looked like it was one of those days.
The day had been long. The return heavier than expected. And though the walls around her belonged to the South, to Killan, to something that was now also hers, rest did not come easily.
"Stay with me tonight."
Killan's voice came from just behind her, low enough that it did not carry beyond the corridor, but close enough to pull her fully from her thoughts.
Aya turned.
