I stare at him for a long moment. Luna cautiously approaches to sniff at his boots; she seems to approve of him, which is more than I can say for myself right now.
With a sigh that feels like it comes from the depths of my soul, I resign myself to an entire afternoon of entertaining this temperamental, elderly man who apparently plans to adopt me, whether I like it or not.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I say quietly. “I’ll send for lunch immediately.”
Luna, having completed her inspection of his boots, springs into his lap, circles twice, stretches luxuriously, and lies down with a contented purr.
King Alaric looks down at her with surprise, then begins stroking her fur. “Well,” he mutters, “at least someone in this palace has sense.”
As I watch him examine my laboratory with keen, intelligent
