LUCY
I inhale deeply, trying to use the familiar scent of the tea room to center the chaotic swirling of my thoughts. If my parents aren't here, they have to be in the study.
I know my father's habits too well; the guard wouldn't have led me into this wing on a wild goose chase, not when every servant in this residence now knows precisely who I am.
I cross the terracotta room, my cozy fluffy slippers making no sound on the thick, hand-woven rugs, and halt before the smaller door that leads to the study.
I raise my hand, my knuckles hovering an inch from the wood to knock, but I freeze, my whole arm going rigid.
Why am I knocking? They are the ones who summoned me. They are the ones waiting on the pleasure of the Dragon Alpha, whether they've fully absorbed that fact yet or not.
I drop my hand and push the door open gently instead, stepping across the threshold like the sovereign I am rather than the daughter I used to be.
