"You are free to go, young lady." Blood was smeared across the queen's face, and her blue eyes were still unnaturally bright. They were a far cry from the stately and serene woman that Vienna had first seen at the ceremony.
The servant helped Mona up gently. She leaned on him as he led her away. Another servant handed her a third glass of wine as she left the room. She accepted it slowly as if she were either injured or in a trance, or both.
Vienna turned toward the king, who seemed to approach the situation, though a bit differently. He held Sarah's hand and gently drank from her wrist. They stood close to each other. Sarah was breathing slowly and deeply, her eyes closed as if she were meditating. Where the queen's drinking had been strong, almost ferocious, the king seemed subdued an
