Chapter 24: Anastasia

The dining room of our estate is quiet tonight. The polished mahogany table stretches out between us, reflecting the sharp, white light from the overhead crystal fixtures. Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the evening sky is a dark, swallowing the horizon. The only sounds are the occasional clink of silverware against porcelain and the quiet, synchronized movement of the staff as they set down the silver serving platters.

My father sits at the head of the table. His posture is straight, his shoulders squared, and his hands move with discipline as he cuts his meat.

To his right sits Luna in her elevated booster seat. I sit...