Chapter 22
NELLIE KNEW HENRIK watched her all the way until she reached the hall. A coach was arriving at the palace steps, and he would be required to assist its noble owners up the narrow steps, but he remained at the door to watch her.
She pretended not to notice and took brisk steps so that her plait swayed over her back.
When she was young, Mistress Johanna used to be sassy, and Nellie had watched her often enough to be able to imitate her. It was quite childish, but fun.
Nobody owned her.
Two kings and queens and an evil magician had been her masters. Nothing was new to her.
She had just solved the dragon problem by releasing the creature so it could go home.
Nothing would guide her except what was wrong or right. Her father had known what was best for his family, and she was
