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The entire Council of Ministers gulped in unison, retrieving their seats.
“Luna…” Hampstermeyer mumbled, rising and bowing politely. “May I ask when the King will be returning from abroad?”
I could barely swallow my smirk. Cade had barely been gone two days, and the males were already missing him.
He really does let them get away with everything, doesn’t he?
“Sit down, Hampy,” Sepher hissed, catching the gleam in my eyes. “Pardon Hampstermyer. He… he doesn’t have a lot of experience with females.”
“Does anything actually get accomplished at cabinet meetings, or is this merely a place for males to let off a load of steam?” I demanded. “In the past two days, I’ve refereed three arguments and resolved no issues whatsoever. This is the fifth time I’ve handled a Council of Ministers meeting, and it’s always the same crap with you guys!”
I pointed at the day’s agenda and glowered at the males before me. “Tomorrow, I intend to resolve every issue on the roster without a single argument. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Luna!” they chorused, rising as if I’d ended the session.
“I didn’t say you were dismissed!” I growled.
They sat contritely and stared at me like obedient school children, hands folded in front of themselves.
“Okay. Now you’re dismissed,” I told them, and they stood again, piling toward the door.
Ryland snickered from behind me, and I whirled to scowl at him.
“It’s not funny, Ryland. The purpose of this cabinet is to make real changes in Ironhelm. From what I’ve seen over these past days, all they do is bicker and fight over the most trivial matters. I never really paid attention before, because I’ve only covered for a day at a time, but this is how it’s always run! We’ll never progress as a kingdom if they continue like this.”
“King Cade has always managed to handle them,” Ryland offered delicately. “And Ironhelm is thriving.”
“I guess that depends on what your definition of thriving is,” I replied with a smirk, but this wasn’t Ryland’s battle.
A cry emanated from outside the door. Ryland whirled around to address it, but I knew instantly there was no danger.
“MAMA!” The doors to the cabinet hall opened, and Apolonia streaked through, Laurette on her heels, pale and terrified.
I shrieked as my young child rushed toward me, the glass still a safe distance from her arms but close enough to worry me. I scooped her into my arms, holding her close to my chest.
“I’m sorry, Luna,” the governess gasped. “She’s quite fast.”
I didn’t need to be told about my daughter’s racing abilities. She had developed her father’s wolf prowess from a young age—and his mischievousness, too.
Grisella—who I had become quite close with after my daughter was born—often commented on how much Apolonia reminded her of Cade at that age.
“It’s all right, Laurette,” I told her magnanimously. “Let’s get out of here and find some cookies, shall we?”
Holding Apolonia on my hip, I carefully sidestepped the mess I’d made with the skylight, shaking my head as Ryland held the door for us, but as we stepped into the hallway, I was overcome with a wave of dizziness.
“Luna?”
Both Laurette’s and Ryland’s voices seemed very far away suddenly when I stopped, leaning against the wall. Beads of sweat broke out on my forehead.
“MOMMY!” Apolonia shrieked in my ear. “MOMMY, WAKE UP!”
“I’m awake, Apolonia,” I told her firmly. “Don’t yell, please.”
Gently, I set my child on her feet, but she pouted defiantly, extending her arms toward me.
“Laurette, take Apolonia to the kitchen and find her some cookies. Ryland, send for Maywin and Shay.”
“Luna?” Concern flooded the guard’s voice, but I straightened my shoulders and stared at him firmly.
