---
"You are doing that thing again," she said. "The one where you stare at nothing and look offended."
"I was thinking," he said.
"That is usually when trouble starts," she replied.
Akayoroi stepped back at last.
"There," she said. "Functional. Not elegant, but we can have proper pieces made later."
Luna looked down at herself, then grudgingly admitted, "Better."
She lifted her chin toward Kai.
"Well. Go on. You are clearly here for something other than admiring your wife while she threatens the furniture."
"I need to call a council," Kai said. "Not a full one. Just the people who will be involved in the Forest of Death. We start planning today."
That pulled the warmth out of the room a little.
Luna crossed her arms.
"Then I am on it," she said immediately.
Kai shook his head.
"No."
Luna stared.
"No," she repeated.
