By the time they returned to the castle, it was already evening and the sun was ready to go down the horizon. Annalise didn't see either Valerius or Damian anywhere on her way to her bedroom and Kenric too disappeared down into the basement as soon as they returned.
Sera was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs with a tray holding freshly brewed tea and some snacks in it which made Annalise raise her eyebrows as she looked at the girl in question.
"My Lady, Master Valerius asked us to prepare the tea for you. He said that you will be returning soon and here you are." Sera answered the unasked question of her lady.
Something told Annalise that her bond with Valerius wasn't the only reason he was aware of her return. She had already understood that the Dark Lords were indeed way too powerful for the normal people of the Seelie Empire. They didn't belong to the Seelie Empire and neither did their powers.
