Alexander This time, I’m the last to arrive at the meeting with the ministers. This time, Marcel isn’t the only one accompanying me. I walk through the door, observing as every minister’s eyes flick to me—then quickly trail behind me, to my Luna. This is not her first meeting with the ministers, but back then I had her as my maid. It’s funny to think about now. Mortifying actually, to think of assigning the female who is now my mate, who was prepared to give her life for mine, as my maid. Still, it amuses me to realize how on some level, even then, even if I didn’t know why, I wanted her nearby. This meeting with her is different. She is not some maid sitting behind me. I had Marcel bring in a chair specifically for her, one that matches mine. Both chairs sit equally at the head of

