Alaric's chair was still empty when the emergency assembly began. No one removed it. I was glad. An empty chair could say more than a new one filled too quickly.

The old Council benches held eleven Elders instead of twelve. Some looked angry. Some looked frightened.

Sev

I did not move back into the South Wing. I did not move into the old Luna suite either.

The first suggestion came from a house steward who looked as if he regretted speaking before the sentence left his mouth.

"Traditionally, the Luna apartments—"

"No."

He stopped. Luci

Leo's question stayed in the dark between us. Did Papa tell me the truth about you? I could have answered too quickly. Yes. No. Some of it. Instead I asked, "What did he tell you?"

Leo rolled onto his side under the blue blanket.

"That you loved me before I was born."