Lucille

After completing the call with King Theodore, I stood for a moment in the warmth of the flames. The fire before me crackled and snapped such as my nerves, synapse after synapse exploding beneath my skin, making my flesh tight. For once, I wanted to go to my husband, to be by his side, and at the same time, I was honored by the trust King Theodore had bestowed.

Walking to the large windows, I stared through the frost-covered panes out to ...