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“I spoke to Zahn. They’re in the sun room upstairs.”

“Ohhh, didn’t know there was a sun room,” Bart said.

“And a rooftop garden. And an exercise room. And a library. And a private office. And…”

“I get it. There’s a lot up there.”

“Want to come?” Quin asked.

“I do. I’d like to see it,” Bart said, starting toward the stairs.

Mirilla stayed back, shaking her head.

“Come on,” Bart said, holding out his hand for her to take.

Looking like what his father would call a deer in the headlights back on Earth, she shook her head as she regarded him wide-eyed.

“Mirilla! Come,” Quin barked out.

“Yes, Sire!” she answered, quickly rushing past Bart to follow Quin.

Bart caught up with her and took her hand in his, looking questioningly at her.

“He’s not known for having the best disposition,” she whispered.

“I heard that!” Quin called.

Mirilla looked horrified when she met Bart’s gaze.

Bart laughed. “She’s not wrong, Quin.”

“I’m a lovely individual. Vivi tells me so all the time,” Quin announced as he reached the top of the steps and turned to wait for them to catch up. “In all honesty, Mirilla, I’m a much different male. If you matter to Bart, and my Vivi says you can be here, you are welcome here.”

“That’s the problem, Sire. I’ve still not met her. Her guard sent me away.”

“And you came back? Impressive.”

“Our Sovereigna sent me back to deliver a message,” she confessed.

“Of course, she did. What’s the message?” Quin asked.

“That she is busy with duties she must attend but that she’ll see her tomorrow,” Mirilla said.

Quin shook his head as he met Bart’s smirk.

“It’s an important message,” Bart said with a grin.

“It’s a plan of subterfuge to get Mirilla in to see Vivi,” Quin said. “My mother is nothing if not sly.”

Bart laughed. “Someone would have to be for you to come by it so naturally.”

“I am not sly. I am forceful, and dominating, and a brilliant strategist.”

“Strategies required being sly, cunning.”

Quin simply shrugged and walked away. “Perhaps. Come, allow me to show you the sun room, and to introduce you to my Ehlealah, Mirilla.” He led the way through the upper living areas to the sun room. He opened the door and stepped into the glass enclosed room filled with plants and small trickling fountains. Zahn and Rel were both already standing at attention near the entrance.

“Sire,” they both said.

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