CHAPTER TWELVE
Even though Sophia knew that she was telling the truth about who she was, she still felt a twinge of fear as the guards led her and Kate through the gates of Ishjemme’s castle. What if their uncle didn’t believe who they were? What if he treated them as imposters, out to deceive?
By the time they reached the castle’s main hall, Sophia was almost trembling with the prospect of meeting her uncle. Sienne seemed to sense that fear, the forest cat looking around for enemies with every step. Even Kate seemed on edge, her hand never straying far from the hilt of the slender sword she wore.
The guards threw open the doors, and Sophia saw that what had once been some ancient hall had now been reworked as a modern grand reception room, the stone walls painted and plastered, the cei
