Roman

I met Lord Martin outside the king’s offices. He spoke low as we hurried toward my office apartments, passing by people I recognized and others I didn’t. My mind wasn’t on their faces or protocol as they bowed in my presence.

“Your Highness,” Lord Martin said, “your appointments are waiting.”

My appointments.

It felt as if the entire world was imploding—a catastrophic, cataclysmic annihilation—and I ...