Chapter 1
They’re going to kill another bear.
That was the only thought in Pippa’s head as she navigated the palace’s manicured gardens. She ducked behind hedges, avoided the chattering ladies-in-waiting, and held her breath as two royal guards crossed the path in front of her.
Another bear.
The sun beat down, the day already hot, her gown stifling. At least she’d had the foresight to tug on something other than a delicate pair of slippers. The boots? The ones she hadn’t worn for months? They felt solid and sure on her feet, and Pippa felt more like herself than she had in ages. She could do things in these boots.
She looked left and right before throwing a cautious glance at the castle behind her. Its shadow followed her as if it somehow knew her plans better than she did. The way cl
