Two hours later, the scene in Lord Morvian's courtyard is pure chaos. All of his heavy, luxurious trade crates are stacked outside in the open, while a small army of estate workers frantically hammers together a massive, temporary tent-like shelter over them to keep the pouring rain at bay.
Inside, the atmosphere is entirely different. Elena stands firmly outside the heavy basement door, her arms crossed as she plays the role of an elite royal guard to perfection.
Down in the vast, echoing underground chamber, Lucian and I stand side by side, surveying the empty stone room. Every single marble tile and slab has been brought down and placed perfectly against the walls exactly the way I specified.
"Why did you request marble?" Lucian asks, his piercing blue eyes scanning the stone-lined walls before landing on me.
