Nikolai

“Your Highness, you’ve got to think about this!” Gallagher’s frantic whine scratched at my ear as he galloped alongside me and I paused at the castle foyer whirling to face his sweaty white face.

“Do you LIKE being a war chief Gallagher? Have the stars on your fine military coat suddenly become too heavy?” I hissed, towering over the lanky man and gesturing to the fine brown coat of his suit, watching him gulp reflexively before wiping the thin sheen of sweat that dotted his gaunt face. 

When the man focused his watery brown eyes on me again, I was surprised to find that it was sharp and cutting,...