Alinore would have been more surprised if the summons hadn’t come. After open court had concluded, she had descended from the dais and begun making the rounds through the upper echelons of Nevermerean society, stepping easily onto the verbal battleground that had raised her. When the king’s servant pulled her aside, she made her excuses to the noble couple questioning her about Arynn Frey and abandoned the throne room for the quieter corridors that led to his office. With a nod to the royal guard who announced her presence and opened the door, she took a quiet breath and stepped inside.

It had been quite a while since she had last been here, but it seemed as though little, if anything, had changed. Alinore would have been surprised if it had, for the man seated at his desk appeared much the same as before. Offering a glimpse into the organized mind that ruled their kingdom, Cassian’s office was his domain and consequently encapsulated the same control and discipline that he extended over all of Nevermere. Everything had its place, and everything had its purpose, including those who walked through his doors.

“Your Majesty,” She greeted the king with a smile and a respectful curtsy, as if they hadn’t known each other since they were children. Not only did she suspect that he had summoned her for business rather than simply a social call, but she thought it generally wiser to err on the side of formal and let him set the tone of their meetings. “I hope you’re doing well. You wished to speak with me?”