The council chamber was still ablaze with murmurs long after Varion's offer was denied. Noble lords whispered behind veils of politeness, emissaries exchanged tight-lipped glances, and more than one beast snarled quietly, sensing their bonded partners' rising tensions.
Lucas Carter stood unmoved in the center of the Spire of Accord, his expression unreadable. The memory of Princess Yveria's words lingered like embers in his chest. A king without a crown. A flame at his heart. Darkness at his heels.
He glanced down. Hidden under his cloak, Starwing blinked quietly, nestled against his chest, invisible to the world.
"This council is already splintering," Kaela murmured beside him. "Half the lords side with Varion. The rest are too scared to speak."
"Or waiting to see who bleeds first," Elira added, her voice sharp as the daggers strapped to her thigh.
Lucas nodded. "Then we give them a reason to wait longer."
…
