As Queen Juneth slides a plate toward me at the library table, I carefully fold my hands in my lap. She’s watching me too closely.

“There’s no need, thank you,” I say, aiming for a calm, polite tone. I spent all morning preparing for this moment. “I’ve begun following a specific diet that agrees with me. The healer says it’s wonderful for the pup’s development, and I don’t want to risk making myself sick by straying from it.”

Her immediate pause ...