Meret walked down the staircase, pausing briefly on the main step when she noticed Kael waiting just below. She blinked, trying to make sense of why he was standing there instead of going to the living room, where she usually received guests. Did something happen? She couldn’t quite fathom it.

She continued cautiously, forcing herself to remain calm despite the sudden tightening along her spine. Maybe it was her own instincts making her overly cautious, but she knew an abrupt meeting like ...