She knelt by his chair and hugged him close. “My very first in such a long time! What fun we’ll have, you and I.”

“Mika, get away from her!” Princess Klia strode into the room and pulled him from Queen Rhazat’s arms. Holding him tight, Klia moved to put the table between them and the queen. Klia smelled sort of bad, but he was too glad to see a familiar face to care.

“I hoped you’d join us, Klia,” said Rhazat, taking her seat again.

“What are you doing here?” asked Mika, clinging to her.

Klia appeared to be very angry with the queen. “She brought me here.”

“Don’t be rude, Klia,” Queen Rhazat chided. “Let the poor child eat, and you as well. I know you’re famished.”

“Why did you bring him here?” Klia asked.

“I didn’t. He just showed up. Isn’t that right, Mika? People do sometimes.”

Mika nodded.

“I see,” Klia said, giving him a tight smile. “She’s right, though. We have to eat to keep up our strength.”

“Here, my love, have some of these.” Lady Rhazat uncovered a dish he hadn’t noticed before. It was a plate of honey cakes, his favorite.

“I think it’s time you went to bed now, Mika,” Rhazat said when he’d halfheartedly nibbled most of a cake.

Mika gave Klia a frightened look. “I don’t want to.”

“May he stay in my room?” asked Klia.

“Of course, my dear,” Rhazat answered with her sweetest smile. “Go ahead, child. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“I’ll take him up,” said Klia, rising from her chair.

“Oh, do stay. I’d like to speak with you first,” Rhazat purred. Picking up the clay bell by her plate, she rang it and Phania came in, dressed in her uniform and looking the picture of health. “Mika, this is one of Princess Klia’s soldiers. I don’t believe you’ve met Lieutenant Phania.”

A look of relief spread across the boy’s face. “No. Hello, Lieutenant.”

Phania smiled at him as he took her hand, then saluted Klia. For an instant her eyes were the same dead white that Moonshine’s had been.

“Phania will watch over him for you, Klia dear,” Rhazat assured her. “Wait a moment, Mika.” She presented her cheek to be kissed.

Klia caught his eye and gave him a slight nod. Mika returned to the table and dutifully kissed Rhazat on the cheek. She gathered the boy in her arms and Klia’s heart missed a beat as Rhazat kissed his brow and both cheeks, then let him go unharmed. “Off with you now, my love. Tomorrow I have a lovely surprise for you!”

Phania took his hand again and led him from the room.

“He is an adorable boy,” said Rhazat. “It’s so lovely, how fully he trusts you.”