Kaia walked into the Private Dining Room walking like a new-born foal attempting to navigate a frozen pond.
Her calves were screaming. Every step sent a jolt of ache through her muscles—a lingering souvenir from climbing three hundred and forty-two stairs to the North Tower, followed by the strenuous activity of being thoroughly ravished against a brass telescope.
"You are limping," Victoria noted, drifting beside her in a cloud of perfectly pressed silk.
"I pulled a muscle," Kaia lied through gritted teeth. "Stretching. For... posture."
"You don't stretch for posture, Kaia. You stand still. Like a civilized person." Victoria adjusted her own high lace choker. "Do try to hide it. We are dining intimately with the Royal Family tonight. The Empress wants to discuss 'Family Unity'."
Kaia suppressed a groan. "Family Unity" usually meant forced conversation about embroidery while the Emperor stared at a wall.
