I was barely inside the doors when AAta had me gathered up in his arms, the slight chill from the hallway finally registering in my mind, the heat of the room almost oppressive as I was still trying to process what had happened. Kaiki had seemed like he was okay, like he was happy and enjoying the moment, but as soon as I mentioned his family he turned very formal. Had I made him feel threatened with my comment? Did he think that I was going to tell my father about his family? I didn't know enough to be any kind of threat, yet he was still so afraid. It didn't sit right with me, adding to my confusion at him insisting on continuing with age old guarding practices for his sister, who by all rights was simply a lady at the court. Was he perhaps under threat from within my father's court? Was
