Apprehension twisted in Askatla’s stomach as the trees and houses along Rue de Rollingergrund swished by on the way to Château de Septfontaines. She had confirmed that all the wounds at least remained closed when Oeuf helped change out the bandages around her feet for lower profile plasters so she could wear her customary court shoes. She knew she would have to walk carefully to avoid aggravating them but did not want to provide a physical reminder of the incident at the hospital. Ideally, that would not be a topic at dinner.

The gate opened automatically as their silver sedan…