The man straightened after bowing, his eyes not quite meeting mine. There was something about him — the way his jaw tightened, his hands clasped neatly behind his back — that screamed soldiers. He didn’t look like a servant at all.

Mira’s eyes flickered between me and him, like she was nervous. “This is Dennis,” she said carefully. “He’s from Madam Kaelene’s quarters. He… asked to see you.”

“Me? Why?” I asked.

Dennis looked up. “I’m here under the King’s ...