Chris froze so hard he felt his soul try to exit his body.
Dax's timing was supernatural. Or cursed. Or both.
The king stopped in front of him, still in full uniform, still radiating that quiet, lethal authority that made generals shut up, and looked directly at Chris with that low, steady rumble of attention that always made Chris forget what thinking was.
Rowan, traitor that he was, took one discreet step back and composed his face into perfect guard neutrality. Which was impressive, considering he was vibrating with the need to smirk.
Chris swallowed. "I… have nothing to say."
Dax tilted his head slightly, purple eyes narrowing the way they did when he smelled guilt, chaos, or Chris doing something stupid. "Rowan looks like he swallowed a secret."
Rowan immediately straightened, expression flat. "Your Majesty, I would never…"
"Rowan," Dax said, without looking at him.
Rowan shut up.
Dax's gaze returned to Chris. "Christopher?"
