Serathine noticed the shift into the two young men. Her smile dipped into something gentler, almost apologetic… which was exactly the moment Caelan decided subtlety was overrated and tossed a political grenade straight into the middle of the living room.
"Well," he said, settling back like a man preparing to enjoy reactions, "that brings us to the actual reason we came."
Lucas and Trevor exchanged one of those long-suffering parental looks. Sebastian and Dean both straightened, instinctively mirroring each other, shoulders squared, jaws tight.
Serathine placed her cup down with the elegance of someone preparing to deliver unpleasant news wrapped in expensive silk. "A diplomatic delegation is arriving in three days," she said, her voice soft but carrying the weight of a bell toll. "From the Empire of Alamina."
Trevor blinked. "Alamina sent a delegation? Here?"
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "They've been quiet for years. Why now?"
