THE PROXY LUNA
"You are a replacement for my promised bride. A breeder for my heirs. You are not, and will never be, my first choice."
He turned and walked to the balcony.
The curtain shifted in the night air behind him.
Olivia sat on his bed, her lips still burning, her hands shaking, and stared at his back.
PAULA
Paula was in an excellent mood.
She hummed quietly to herself as she navigated the lower corridor toward the holding cells, her maid uniform neat, her expression pleasantly neutral. Everything had gone beautifully. Better than she'd planned, honestly. The guard had cooperated perfectly, Trisha had conveniently disappeared, and the rest had taken care of itself.