White marble. Gold filigree. A chandelier made of raw crystal hanging thirty feet above the polished floor.

And at the bottom of the grand staircase, surrounded by soldiers in green cloaks, stood the shortest man you’d ever seen wearing an expression of profound annoyance.

He sounded like someone who’d been pulled away from important work to attend a tea party.

And the entire room turned.

The staircase curved upward into a pool of golden light. At the top, framed by a tall arched window, stood the princess of Aurelia. One hand resting on the marble railing. Diamonds at your throat catching the sun like scattered stars. Gown the color of roses.

Levi looked up. And immediately, visibly, frowned.