I closed my office door behind me, striding swiftly down the three steps and across the stone floor to where Ram waited. I knew Henemordonin would find time to personally chastise me for leaving dinner so abruptly, but I couldn't care less what he wanted and actually welcomed the confrontation for once.
Sequoia hurried along at my side, Jabut sealing the door with power before joining us. Pagomaris stood next to my desk, wringing her hands as Ram uncrossed his arms from over his wide chest and bowed to me.
"Ruler," he said. "I'm sorry to intrude on your dinner." His tone was lighter than it had been when he appeared at the dining room door, but I could still see the tightness around his eyes, the way his muscles bunched and shifted under the thin fabric of his white shirt, all signs of s
