Chapter 17 : A Trap Is Set

Ayda's POV Come morning, all the discomfort I felt over the Calling was but a faded memory. Still, not wishing to further stress my body, I heeded Maud's advice and had breakfast in my bedroom. The world felt so different now. Colors were vibrant, almost phosphorescent in the way they dazzled. I could hear all sorts of sounds and was able to differentiate the treads of people's gaits, from Nicolette's dainty trot to Maud's heavier gallop. The smell was an unfortunate sensitivity I was still coming to terms with. I appreciated that perfumes and colognes were en vogue this season; it baffled me how offensive some people's scents were. Maud said that was to help determine who was an enemy or not, but I think the reasoning was far more mundane. I was going to avoid the stable hands and guards for the next foreseeable days until I got better control of my senses. Their predilection toward physical exertion, followed by a reluctance to hasten to the showers after…