The heavy cedar door of their private quarters shut out the final, distant sounds of William arguing with one of the kitchen omegas about the temperature of the shaving water.

Nila let out a long, heavy breath, her shoulders instantly dropping three inches as she walked over to the wide stone hearth. She unpinned the heavy silver broach from her shoulder, tossing it onto the cedar vanity table before sinking down onto the edge of the cream-colored sheepskin rug. The room still smelled beautifully of dry lavender and the warm applewood Kaelen had thrown onto the fire before they went down to the dining room.

Kaelen walked in behind her,...