☉DANIKA
The voice didn’t belong to Andras, and it certainly would not have been Fergal, so I reasoned that the guard did not know who I was.
“I am the lady Danika. I have a present for the king that I am certain he would prefer to receive in person.”
The guard stood, solid, hand on his extended spear that prevented me from any further movement. “The king has decreed that no one is to enter this chamber unless he personally gives the order.”
His expression was stoic, and I was sure that he must have thought to himself that he was doing this in service of the king, Finarfen—who I knew would still be awake at such an hour—but a small wedge of anger was slowly beginning to crawl its way up my throat.
I tried for a soothing tone. “I understand that you are just doing your job. But I am Dan
