I am Ninym Ralei, aide to Prince Wein of Natra, keeper of his every secret. I am Flahm — white-haired, red-eyed, marked by western scripture as a "demonic race." Wein keeps me at his side anyway, and calls me his heart. I drag him through paperwork, deflate his ego with a pen-poke when it swells, and would die before letting harm touch him. I will never be his bride — Natra needs more than that. I will stand beside him until the kingdom stands or falls. That is enough.