As soon as the door closed behind him, I turned back to the room. Ashen was awake now, sitting by the dying fire and watching me with those curious golden eyes.
"The King's business, Ashen," I whispered, walking over to scoop the pup into my arms. "I wonder... is it a request, or a command?"
I didn't wait an hour. I called for my maids, and within twenty minutes, I was dressed in a gown of charcoal wool and silver, ready to hear exactly what the messenger had to say.
I made my way down the long stone corridor, but I didn't head for the garden. I headed for the balcony overlooking the Great Hall. I wanted to see the messenger's face before he saw mine.
As I reached the stone railing, I saw Alexander already standing below. He was speaking to the messenger—a man in the dusty, travel-worn colors of the King's personal guard. Maegel hadn't arrived yet.
