I, King of the North

Chaos spilled from the banquet into the streets outside. Horses whinnied and bolted, shadows twisted and swayed, and panicked guests swept up passersby who had no idea what was happening.

In the blink of an eye, the banquet was a shambles.

"What happened?"

A bewildered Annan stood onstage, facing the empty banquet hall.

"Sweetheart, could you bring me a glass of wine?"

Among the few guests who had stayed, Lady Fine Wine beckoned to him.

"The old butler said you can't drink."

"I just can't drink too much. Have you forgotten what I'm called?" Lady Fine Wine kept her fair hand outstretched. "Bring me a glass, and I'll tell you slowly."

Annan had no choice but to step down from the stage. Under the maid's frightened gaze, he went to the table, picked up an empty wineglass from an overturned silver tray at his feet, and set it on the Dining Table to pour the wine.

A fair hand holding another empty glass reached over. The glasses met with a crisp clink.

A Girl pressed close as well, her enthusiasm bordering on fanaticism.

"You're Lewis Reeves?"

Her thick black hair and delicate, porcelain-doll face came so close they nearly brushed Annan's nose. He could see her dark red eyes clearly.

For a moment, Annan almost thought he had met an actual member of the Reeves Family.

"No."

Annan edged back, but the Girl followed. "I can smell it... the bloodstains that won't wash out of these clothes... Were you hurt? Badly? Let me heal you..."

The Girl reached toward Annan. Just before she touched him, a familiar, fragrant breeze enveloped him and blocked her hand.

Two similarly slender arms faced each other, one pale as paint, the other a natural fair white.

"Stay away from my man."

The elegant, mature