---
Seraphiel's mouth curved faintly. "That sounds like Stephen."
Elena ignored that and continued, "The official reason is that the heir wishes to meet you."
Sekhmet's expression did not change, but his eyes did.
"Which means," he said, "he wants to inspect me or something?"
"Yes."
Kess, to his credit, did not flinch when the sentence was stated that plainly.
Sekhmet looked directly at him then. "And were you sent only with a letter?"
Kess met his gaze now, careful but not cowardly. "I was sent to establish respectful contact and request an appropriate time for conversation, Young Master."
Young Master.
There it was. Not open submission to him. Not disrespectful either. A carefully chosen address because of lady Seraphiel.
Sekhmet noticed.
Seraphiel noticed him noticing.
Elena folded the letter and laid it on the table beside her. "Stephen requests that we receive the envoy properly and respond by tonight if possible."
"Tonight," Sekhmet repeated.
"Yes."
