THE NIGHT OF A KING AND QUEEN

Arella sat in her office that night, working on more coronation plans, the soft glow of the candlelight and firelight flickering over the parchment in front of her. The day had been a whirlwind for her. She had had dinner with her brother and had ensured he retired to bed before finally retiring back to her office for more work.

The king had been unable to join them because he had used up a big part of his day to watch as Arella tried on her gowns. Her brother had taken up all of her time, telling her all that she had missed in the demon realm. The child that had been born and the engagements that had been made.

To some extent, she was sad to have missed all that she had not been able to see in her hundred years in the human realm.

A soft knock at her study door pulled her out of her thoughts. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and King Varziel stepped inside. His eyes scanned the room before settling on her.