Liam had been abandoned.
Technically, Arik had left him in a private suite guarded by Stanford, two Shadows, Marin's ward, three layers of royal security, and a tray of approved snacks.
Emotionally, abandoned.
Arik had gone to see the piano.
The potentially cursed, possibly Nurian, definitely suspicious piano sitting in one of George's old waiting rooms like a decorative object with criminal intent. Rex had sealed the room personally, Mezos had inspected the wardline, and Arik had left one hour ago with the calm expression of a man intending to interrogate furniture.
Liam had wanted to go.
Marin had said no.
Arik had said no.
Stanford had said nothing, which was worse, because silence from Stanford meant agreement with Marin while pretending to remain professionally neutral.
So Liam had been left with documents.
At first, that had almost been tolerable.
