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was drunk and not at all what I expected. I walk down to my favorite spot by the water’s edge, beneath the willow tree. Then I drop to the ground and lean over, studying myself in the lake. My wild curls and too-large spectacles stare back. What were you thinking? my reflection demands. Did you really expect him to stay here with you, instead of going into town with the other soldiers? I take off my glasses and brush my eyes with the back of my hand.
    Suddenly I hear footsteps coming down the lawn. I replace my glasses and turn, expecting to see Dava, coming to chastise me for being outside so long. But it is Paul, standing behind me, hands in his pockets. He carries a small backpack on his shoulders that I had not noticed before. “Sorry to sneak up on you again.”
    I swallow over the lump that has formed in my throat. “If you need directions into town…”
    He shakes his head. “Nah, I decided not to go.”
    I inhale sharply. “Oh?”
    “I’m kinda tired and the jeep was too crowded. I spend enough time with those knuckleheads, anyway.” He takes a step forward. “Mind if I join you?” Before I can answer, he drops down close beside me, leaning back and planting one arm on the ground for support. “It’s really beautiful here.” I am too surprised to respond. He did not go with the others after all. We gaze up at the mountains, neither speaking. Out of the corner of my eye, I peek down at his forearm, tanned and muscular. Desire rises in me.
    Paul turns toward me. I look away quickly, staring hard at the water and praying he did not notice me watching him. “I’d love to go for a walk before it gets too dark,” he says, gesturing to a dirt path to the right of where we are sitting that runs along the perimeter of the lake. My heart sinks. He’s going to go off and leave me again. But he is still looking at me expectantly. “Care to join me?”
    I hesitate, too surprised to respond. A walk, just the two of us? The idea sounds like a dream. But technically, the path is beyond the camp grounds, off limits to residents. And I barely know Paul; it would hardly be proper to go off alone with him, especially since not an hour ago he was drunk. His eyes are clearer now, though, his face the one I remember from prison. And I cannot bear the thought of him leaving again so soon. I have to find a way to go with him. “Wait here for a minute.” I stand up and run back into the palace, looking for Dava. The foyer is empty so I walk quickly into the ward. I spot Dava at the far end of the room, checking Rose’s temperature.
    I race toward them. “What’s wrong?”
    “Rose has a slight fever.” Dava’s voice is calm but there is concern in her eyes.
    “I’m fine,” Rose insists, struggling to sit up. “How did it go with the new arrivals?”
    “Fine.” I force my uneasiness down. “Dava, I need to ask you a favor.”
    She does not look up. “What is it?”
    “I need permission to leave the grounds and go around the lake, just for a little while. I saw someone I know. That is, the American soldier who saved me at Dachau.”
    “Paul?” Rose asks eagerly.
    I nod. “Anyway, I want to go for a walk with him.”
    “You know the rules, Marta,” Dava replies. “Residents are not permitted off the palace grounds.”
    “I know. But I was hoping you could make an exception, just this once. Please.”
    Dava hesitates. “Curfew is in less than an hour.”
    “I was hoping you could sign me in at bed check.” Dava frowns and I can tell that I am pressing my luck.
    Rose reaches up, touches Dava’s arm. “Let her go, Dava. For me.”
    Dava looks slowly from me to Rose, then back again. She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a piece of paper and a pencil. “Take this pass in case anyone questions your being off grounds,” she says, scribbling something on the paper before handing it to me. “But I want you back by midnight and not a minute longer.”
    “I will be. Thank you.” I lean down and kiss