Chapter 13
13
CAT
B y the time we returned to the ballroom, it was as if nothing had ever happened. People were merrily talking and dancing, eating and drinking their fill. It was nauseating. Even more so when Jacob plastered a smile on his face and greeted his friends as if we hadn’t just witnessed an innocent girl being murdered over a song .
“Jacob?” I gently pulled on his sleeve.
He peered over his shoulder at me. “Hmm?”
“I’m going to go relieve myself,” I whispered so no one could overhear.
“Do you need a servant to accompany you?” he asked, because as my so-called brother, it was inappropriate for him to come with me.
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m okay. I’ll be back soon.” He watched me disappear into the crowd before turning back to his friends.
Jacob was a good brother. I wondered how Arya treated him.
I didn’t really need to use the bathroom; I just wanted to get away from all the preening hypocrites. Their repulsive behavior made my stomach roll. Even so, I hadn’t eaten all day, so I meandered over to one of the tables laden with goods. Casting a speculative eye over the strange appetizers, I grabbed two handfuls and started stuffing my face without a care for how unladylike I appeared. Honestly, after the travesty we all watched go down earlier, they could all fuck off, for all I cared.
“Well, look who it is,” a slimy voice sneered behind me.
Instead of giving him the satisfaction of seeing how much the sound of his voice annoyed me, I rolled my eyes and audibly sighed. I didn’t feel like dealing with him tonight. I turned around to face Prince Julian with my mouth and both hands full of food. With a curtsy and a clumsy bow, I lazily offered, “Your Highness.”
Prince Julian grimaced in horror as crumbs and spittle flew out of my mouth. “You look disgusting.”
I smiled broadly, presenting the half-masticated food in my mouth with glee.
He frowned again and looked positively scandalized. “Have you no manners? You’re in the palace, for immortals’ sake!”
I quickly chewed the food in my mouth and swallowed. “My bad.” I held up a hand in apology. “Being a witness to cold-blooded murder makes me hungry.”
His eyes widened in shock and he pointed a finger at me. “You—!”
I smirked. “What? Cat got your tongue?”
“Hmph!” He crossed his arms behind his back and stood tall and proud. “You’re quite daring, for a human ,” he sneered. “You never used to be that way. It seems your dance with death truly did make you fearless.”
I frowned for a moment before realizing he was referring to Arya’s boat accident.
He leaned in and lowered his voice to a menacing whisper. “But beware, Arya… Fearlessness in the face of death can often lead to it.”
I straightened and wiped my hands on a napkin before unflinchingly meeting his gaze. “Is that a threat, Your Highness?”
“No, it's a warning,” Julian retorted. “The palace is not kind to those who don't know their place. And you’ve made a lot of powerful enemies.”
I wondered who those so-called powerful enemies were. “Good thing I'm not looking for kindness, then,” I shot back, edging into his personal space and feeling the tension between us charge with tense energy.
“There’s a fine line between bravery and foolishness,” Julian retorted, his tone sharp.
“Guess I’m walking that line, then,” I shot back with a smirk. “It’s more fun than standing safely on the sidelines.”
Julian’s expression tightened, a mix of irritation and begrudging respect flickering across his chiseled features. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Arya. Don’t come crying to me when it all falls apart.”
I chuckled lightly, the sound tinged with defiance. “Don’t worry about me, Your Highness. I’ve always been good at playing games. Especially the dangerous ones. And you’re the last person I’d come crying to.”
He stared a moment longer, his gaze intense. “Just remember, Arya, not all games end well for the bold.”
I offered a casual shrug. “Thanks for the advice, but I’ll take my chances. Risk is part of the game, and I’m a gambling woman, after all.”
He leaned in, his eyes glittering with malice. “You think I didn’t see you talking with my brother?”
His words startled me. Which brother was he talking about? “Excuse me?”
“I saw you huddled in a corner talking with Thorne. You two looked quite… close . Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can become crown princess one day. My father would never marry him off to a human ,” he scoffed, disgusted by the notion.
I rolled my eyes at the absurdity of his assumption. “You think there’s something going on between me and your brother? You couldn’t be more wrong. Prince Thorne is nice, but we’re just acquaintances.” I certainly wouldn’t call us friends. Especially not after he caught me eavesdropping tonight.
Julian furrowed his brows. “I know what I saw!” he seethed. “You can’t fool me, Arya. I’ve known you far too long. I know you better than anyone.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay, sure. Whatever you say, buddy.” When I started to walk past him, he gripped my upper arm in an unyielding hold.
“Did I say you could leave?” he growled.
His grip tightened slightly, sending a clear message of control, but my response was instant and cool. “You don't get to tell me where I can and cannot go, Your Highness.” I glared at him, my voice steady despite the anger welling up inside.
He leaned closer, his breath foul with the scent of the wine he'd guzzled all night. “You're stepping into waters far deeper than you realize.”
I smirked. “Is that so? Do tell.”
“Thorne won’t be crown prince for long,” he threatened. “So if I was you, I wouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket, Arya. We were once good together. We can be that way again,” he added with a sly grin.
At the luncheon when Julian accosted me in the bathroom, he told me Elaria would be his one day. I didn’t think much of his boast until now, but I wondered what he was planning. Was Julian the one behind the fighting rings and the plot to overthrow the throne? He seemed too stupid to be the mastermind, but then again, sometimes playing stupid was a good cover when you wanted to get things done without people getting in your way.
I needed to tell Damien my theory. Damn, there was so much I had to tell him, and I didn’t know when I would see him again.
Did I miss Damien? No way. Impossible. He was practically my captor! He was the beast to my beauty, and I refused to believe I had Stockholm syndrome. Or did I? For fuck’s sake… Did I actually like that dark-haired bastard? I mean, we were allies, and there was some trust brewing between us, but I couldn’t let it get past that. I just couldn’t. If I did… I’d be trudging through treacherous water without a life preserver.
No. No . I needed to detox him from my system. I needed a Damien laxative.
I shook the swirling thoughts from my head and ripped my arm out of Julian’s grasp. “Don’t touch me without my permission, asshole,” I grunted. “Not unless you want me to kick your ass like I did at the luncheon, which I’d be happy to do, even with an audience.”
He growled and took a menacing step toward me, when a hand clamped on his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks.
“Julian.” Royal Prince Bai stepped into view over his shoulder. “Why do I seem to always find you in the same predicament? Didn’t you learn your lesson the first time?”
“Uncle,” he said scornfully, “stay out of this.”
Royal Prince Bai sighed. “I’m afraid I can’t, Julian. You see, Lady Arya is under my protection, and I cannot allow any harm to come to her.”
Julian whirled around to face his uncle so quickly, I thought he’d snap his neck by accident. “What? How? Why?”
“Circumstances,” he vaguely explained. “So I need you to leave this young lady alone, nephew. Please.”
Julian growled in frustration, his hands fisting at his sides before he stormed back into the crowd, leaving me alone with his enigmatic uncle.
“Your Highness.” I bowed deeply. “Thank you.”
“Of course, my lady.” He waved for me to rise. “I hope he didn’t give you too much trouble.”
I shook my head and smiled. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
He nodded. “I can tell you’re a very resourceful young woman. That’s a good thing. Especially in Elaria, and particularly here in Dragon Valley.”
I stepped closer and whispered, “Were you here when—”
“Yes,” he interrupted. “But this is not the place nor the time to discuss it. But I am aware of what happened, Lady Arya.” He placed a hand on my shoulder and gently squeezed. “Don’t fret, my lady. Everything will be okay.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
I felt stupid responding with a simple okay , but if the thousand-year-old dragon said everything would be okay, then I guess everything was under control. Maybe it was na?ve to think that way, but it provided much-needed solace.
“Care for a dance?” Royal Prince Bai motioned to the dance floor where the string quartet was playing again. This time, without a singer.
I chuckled awkwardly. “Uh… me? Dance? I don’t know, Your Highness. I’m more of a salsa and merengue sort of gal, or possibly a bachata here and there. But this?” I pointed to the musicians. “This isn’t really my jam.”
He frowned. “Pardon; what did you say? Mereng—what?”
By the confused look on his face, I realized I was quite literally talking in a foreign language. I waved off his confusion. “Ignore me, Your Highness. I tend to ramble nonsense when I’m nervous,” I said quickly. “But sure, let’s dance. But fair warning … if I step on your toes, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I wouldn’t dare, my lady.” He chuckled and extended his elbow for me to take.
I hooked my hand in the crook of his elbow and let him lead me to the dance floor. As the crowd parted for us, I heard the rising whispers and saw fingers pointing at us. From what Maeve had told me, Royal Prince Bai was generally a private person, so I could imagine this little spectacle was quite shocking to those who knew him.
He grasped one hand and gently placed his other hand around my waist. Taking his cue, I placed my free hand on his shoulder and we glided across the dance floor to the gentle rhythm.
At first, I avoided his gaze. His steely eyes appeared unsettlingly all-knowing, and his shrewdness was accentuated by his shoulder-length, salt-and-pepper hair and bushy white eyebrows. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and laugh lines spoke of countless years of experience, but he stood tall and refined. His posture was straight and his presence commanding, exuding an air of wisdom that could only come from centuries of life.
“Are you nervous around me, my lady?” he asked with a knowing look.
I rolled my eyes to offset my obvious nerves. “Pfft,” I scoffed. “ No .”
He nodded and barely restrained a grin. “My mistake.”
I cleared my throat. “I’m just a terrible dancer. I’m concentrating.”
He laughed softly, the sound barely audible over the music. “Well, you are doing admirably for someone who claims to be a terrible dancer.”
The music swelled around us, an instrumental piece that was both elegant and stirring. I tried to match my steps to his, focusing intently on the movement of his feet and taking cues from the guiding pressure of his hand on my waist. “You're a good teacher,” I admitted after a particularly smooth turn that left me slightly dizzy but exhilarated.
“Thank you, but I think you give me far too much credit,” he responded, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You are gifted with natural grace. It just needs a little... coaxing to come to the surface.”
As we continued to dance, the initial awkwardness I felt began to dissipate. The whispers around us faded into the background, drowned out by the intoxicating blend of strings and woodwinds. His steps were sure and gentle, guiding me through the dance with an ease that spoke of years of practice. As the complex melody filled the grand ballroom with rich tones, Royal Prince Bai skillfully led me through the steps, his movements seamlessly blending tradition with effortless charm.
“You seem to handle the spotlight well,” I commented, finally meeting his gaze with a more relaxed smile.
“Years of practice, my lady,” he replied. “One learns to either embrace the attention or be swallowed by it. I chose the former.”
“And yet you remain somewhat of an enigma,” I observed, curious about the man who seemed both a part of and purposely distant from courtly intrigues.
“That, I believe, is the safest way to behave in places such as this,” Royal Prince Bai admitted, his voice lowering slightly. “But tonight, it seems I am less enigmatic, thanks to you.”
“You know, I must confess,” I began, easing into the comfort of our dance, “I'm more accustomed to music where you can drop it like it’s hot, not where you politely nod to it.”
He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips quirking with amusement but also with a touch of confusion. “Drop it like it’s hot? Is that another term from your... extensive vernacular? Or more of your so-called nonsense?”
I nodded and laughed. “Yeah, it's what we do when the music’s good. You drop it like it’s hot and let loose. None of this tiptoeing around like we’re afraid to crack the marble.”
“Ah, I see,” he chuckled, his grip gentle but firm as he executed a flawless spin, bringing me back into his embrace. “Perhaps one day you’ll have to demonstrate these... less restrained dance moves.”
With a snort, I quipped, “I’d have to seriously question the palace's sound system first.” I scanned the opulent surroundings with a mock-critical eye. “Do you think these old walls could handle a bass drop?”
“I don’t know what a bass drop is, but given their age, these walls have likely withstood far worse,” he replied dryly. “Though I'd wager they've never encountered someone quite like you.”
Our banter seemed to draw more attention from the surrounding guests, their curious glances turning into overt stares. But under Royal Prince Bai's composed escort, I found the scrutiny less daunting than expected.
“Speaking of handling,” I continued, “how do you deal with all the stiff upper lips around here? There must be a secret stash of muscle relaxants for after the parties.”
“Ah, the true secrets of the nobility,” he played along, his tone laced with feigned conspiracy. “Muscle relaxants and an unyielding patience for pomp.”
“Just add a stiff drink to the mix and I might even survive the night,” I said, only half-joking. Me and drinking were a recipe for disaster. One drink would lay me out flat.
“Survival is one thing,” Royal Prince Bai said as the dance drew to a close and the final notes lingered in the air. “But I find a little humor goes a long way in these halls. Thank you for the dance and the levity. I must say, Lady Arya, you are quite different from what you used to be. It’s quite… disconcerting, to say the least.”
I nervously nibbled my bottom lip. I wasn’t Lady Arya Ryder, but honestly, I didn’t even want to try to be more like her. She was a total bitch. I couldn’t be her if I tried.
“What can I say, Your Highness? The accident changed my perspective on life.” I shrugged. “Life’s too short to be miserable.”
He narrowed his gaze on me as if questioning my answer, but he nodded and seemed to accept it for what it was. “Very well, my lady. I hope—”
But before he could continue his thought, a sudden force slammed into me from behind. My breath hitched in my throat and I stumbled forward, nearly tripping over my feet. Royal Prince Bai's hands shot out to steady me before I fell to the ground. Whirling around to see who tried to knock me down, I stared into the cold, furious eyes of Prince Julian.
“I don’t care what you said, Uncle ,” he seethed. “Whether she’s under your protection or not doesn’t matter. I have a score to settle!” Julian aggressively stepped into my personal space. “After the way you spoke to me earlier, you think you can just prance around here like you’re more than a disgusting, lowly human ?”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Your Highness. That I’m sorry?” I shot back, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my veins. “Because I’m not. You can take your bruised ego and—”
Before I could finish, Julian’s hand darted out, attempting to slap me in the face. With lightning-fast reflexes born on the battlefield, I snapped to the side and grabbed his wrist, twisting it behind his back. “I told you not to touch me!” I hissed, forcefully pushing him away.
Julian stumbled back, pain and surprise flashing across his face. His guards hurried over but he held up a hand to stop them. “You think you're tough, huh?” He rubbed the sting out of his wrist before squaring his shoulders and coming at me again. This time, his approach was more calculated, anger fueling his movements.
I readied myself, my heart pounding against the tight-ass corset I’d been crammed into. When he lunged, I sidestepped and used his momentum to propel him past me. “I don’t want to fight you, Your Highness, but I'm not going to let you push me around.”
“Fight back, Arya! Or are you too scared?” Julian taunted, regaining his balance and facing me again.
I clenched my fists, ready for another charge, but it never came. Royal Prince Bai intervened, stepping between us with a stern expression. “That's enough, Julian! This is neither the time nor the place for such disgraceful conduct!”
The ballroom's festive atmosphere abruptly turned tense again as Julian, driven by fury and humiliation, made a rash decision. With a low snarl, he pivoted, aiming not at me this time but at his uncle, who had dared to interject as a barrier.
“Out of my way, old man!” Julian hissed, swinging a clenched fist toward his uncle.
The elder, seasoned in courtly disputes and unexpected brawls, deftly sidestepped the blow, his expression turning from concern to stern rebuke. “Julian! This is disgraceful!” Royal Prince Bai exclaimed, easily catching Julian's wrist and twisting it sharply behind his back. “You dare attack your own blood?”
Julian grunted, pain flashing across his features, but with a desperate twist, he broke free from his uncle’s hold and stumbled forward. His eyes, wild and unfocused, found me again. With a growl, he lunged.
Prepared this time, I dodged his initial swing and swiveled. Grabbing the skirts of my dress, I countered with a swift kick to his midsection, causing him to double over. “Really, Your Highness? You should know better by now,” I taunted, circling him warily as he regained his footing.
Enraged and embarrassed, Julian's attacks became more frenzied. He swung wildly, each movement more predictable than the last. I parried each strike with growing confidence, using my agility to keep him off-balance, which was no easy feat wearing a dress and a corset. If this continued much longer, I would eventually trip over the fabric and be at his mercy.
Startled guests had formed a circle around us, their astonished whispers growing into a buzzing chorus of shock and intrigue. Julian, realizing he was becoming a spectacle, roared and aimed a particularly vicious punch at my head. I ducked under his arm, spun behind him, and brought him crashing to the marble floor with a well-placed kick behind his knees.
“Enough!” I yelled. Standing over him, my chest heaved against my corset from exertion and adrenaline. Julian lay on the floor, grimacing and clutching at his legs. “You’re not proving anything here tonight, except maybe your embarrassing lack of control.”
Just then, a firm hand clasped my shoulder. I turned to see my brother Jacob, his stormy expression filled with disbelieving anger. “Arya, what are you doing ?” he demanded, his voice carrying over the rising murmurs of the crowd.
“What? He needs to learn when to stop.” I nodded toward Julian, who was being helped to his feet by a couple of wary spectators. Royal Prince Bai, meanwhile, had regained his composure and was speaking in hushed tones with a few alarmed dignitaries, likely smoothing over the disruption.
“He is a prince, Arya!” Jacob scolded as he gripped my wrist and tugged me behind him. “You should never lay your hands on royalty!”
Julian scrambled to his feet and strolled toward us, scoffing loudly. “This must be the young master of the Ryder family. You clearly do not discipline the women in your household since they obviously don’t know basic manners!” he shouted, his face turning beet red.
I gritted my teeth and took a threatening step toward him, but Jacob pulled me back and pushed me behind him, standing as a barrier between me and the prince.
Jacob offered a deep bow. “Apologies, Your Highness. My sister has been unruly since youth and has not been taught well. We will be sure to discipline her. If you’ll excuse us—”
“You may not be excused!” Julian shouted, making us freeze in place. “Where is Lord Zacharia? Is he here?” Julian looked around the ballroom for the Minister of Rites.
Jacob grimaced. “He is not in attendance, Your Highness.”
Julian snorted. “Then I guess it is up to you to take the punishment.”
“What?” I gasped and tried to step forward again, but Jacob’s grip on my arm was firm. “Don’t you dare!”
“I dare!” Julian yelled and turned to the servant beside him. “Slap him and don’t stop until I tell you to.”
Jacob’s grip on my wrist tightened, a silent warning for me to keep quiet. But to hell with them all. “You touch him, and I’ll—”
“Careful, my lady,” Royal Prince Bai interrupted, finally approaching the scene, giving me a look of warning before turning to his furious nephew. “Julian, enough of this. How can you punish those who are here to get rewarded? If your father hears of this—”
“I don’t care! Slap him!” Julian’s voice thundered across the hushed ballroom.
Lightning fast, the servant slapped Jacob across the face. The smack echoed in the room like a gunshot. My eyes widened in shock, which was mirrored on the faces of everyone else who stood gaping at the scene. The room seemed to hold their breath as the servant slapped him again, and again, and again.
“You fuckin’ asshole!” I shouted. Ripping my wrist out of Jacob’s hold, I charged toward Julian, but Royal Prince Bai stopped me.
“My lady, stop . There’s nothing that can be done,” he whispered as the resonating sound of violence echoed in my ears.
I trembled with unrestrained anger and clutched Royal Prince Bai’s arm for dear life. Jacob wasn’t my real brother, but he’d been nice to me. He truly cared for me. These people had become like my family while I was here. I couldn’t let them get hurt. Especially not because of me.
The Drakonar royals were obviously losing their grip on reality, and perhaps on their subjects, as well. In the span of an hour, the emperor had executed a young woman for singing and one of his sons had ordered the flogging of one of the nation’s celebrated heroes. I wasn’t the only one filled with horror at the unfolding events.
I winced with each slap and felt the hot sting of tears threatening to spill. “I’ll kill him,” I whispered so only Royal Prince Bai could hear. “I promise that no matter what happens, I’ll kill him.”
“Lady Arya!” Royal Prince Bai reprimanded.
“Now, now, my little kitty cat,” a voice from within the crowd purred. I recognized the newcomer immediately. “We cannot have you murdering royalty, now, can we?”
I whirled around to see Klaus emerge from the crowd. His lavender eyes met mine with a twinkle of mischief in them. His long, silky white hair was pulled back into a bun at the back of his head, and his neatly pressed robes announced that he was every bit the fae his pointed ears proclaimed him to be.
Gasps rang throughout the ballroom, and even Julian’s servant stopped slapping Jacob. I pulled out of Royal Prince Bai’s grasp and ran to Jacob, who collapsed to one knee. His cheeks were bruised and his lips were busted. Blood trickled from a cut near his eye. Sweating profusely, I caught him just before he toppled over. “I got you,” I murmured as I dropped to my knees beside him and held him.
Julian’s back was to the crowd and he hadn’t noticed Klaus, so he was incensed when the servant stopped. “Did I tell you to stop?” Julian shouted.
“Y-Your Highness!” The servant pointed to the white-haired fae standing in the center of the awestruck crowd.
Julian turned and his eyes widened. “How the hell did you escape Faelight Forest?” he demanded. “Or even penetrate the wards in place over Dragon Valley?”
Klaus sighed and began to pace. “Well, that’s what took me so long. I would have been here much sooner if it wasn’t for those pesky wards. Apologies, truly. I hope no one was hurt.” He slightly peered over at me and Jacob without making it too obvious. “By the immortals, I didn’t realize this was how the dragons treated their esteemed guests, much less humans . And to think we lost the war because of our mistreatment of humans!” Klaus laughed. “The irony is not lost on me.”
“Guards!” Julian shouted. “Where are the guards?” he yelled, his face turning beet red.
Slowly, the palace guards emerged from the crowd and hesitantly encircled Klaus.
“Kill him!” Julian ordered, pointing an accusatory finger at Klaus.
One of the guards cleared his throat. “Your Highness, um… Do you know who he is?”
Julian was positively apoplectic. “I don’t care if he’s the God of War himself! He’s fae and he’s escaped Faelight Forest. Kill him!”
The guards gulped, clearly scared to do as Julian commanded. I suddenly wondered where the emperor had scampered off to. I knew he’d gone to change out of his blood-spattered clothes, but damn, it wouldn’t take this long. I would have assumed all the commotion would have aroused his attention by now.
“Jacob?” I whispered. “Are you okay?”
He nodded but didn’t speak. It was probably best if we used Klaus’s diversion to get out of here before the emperor decided to show up. Then we’d really be screwed.
As I murmured reassurances to Jacob, the din around us grew into a cacophony of confusion and outrage. Klaus, with an amused twinkle in his eye, continued to stroll leisurely among the throng of hesitant guards, as if he was taking a leisurely walk through a park rather than facing a battalion of the emperor’s battle-hardened men.
“You’re making a grave mistake,” Klaus called out lightly to Julian, his voice carrying a playful yet ominous undertone. “Do you know who I am, or shall we dance around with your ignorance as the leading partner?”
Julian, red-faced and seething, turned to the guards. “What are you waiting for? I ordered you to kill him !”
The guards shifted uneasily, their eyes flickering between their prince and the unassuming yet powerful figure of Klaus. One of them, braver or perhaps more compelled by duty, stepped forward. “Your Highness, he’s—”
“Klaus, the grandson of King Lorien, the last Fae King before the downfall,” a deep voice interrupted from the entrance of the ballroom. All heads turned as Emperor Valenor stepped into the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. His dark gaze swept over the crowd before settling on Klaus with chilling sharpness.
“The emperor!” someone whispered nearby. A hush fell over the crowd.
Emperor Valenor slowly approached, each step measured and laden with authority. “Julian, stand down,” he commanded without looking at his son, his unblinking eyes fixed on Klaus. “You are in the presence of royalty, even if his crown lies buried with the ruins of his realm.”
Klaus bowed mockingly, a grin spreading across his face. “Your Majesty, what an honor,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I was just discussing the hospitality of your kingdom with my new friends here. It seems the stories of Dragon Valley’s warmth are somewhat exaggerated.”
The emperor’s eyes narrowed, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop. “Klaus, why are you here? This is not your domain.”
“For the very same reason anyone would attend a lovely party: for the company, of course,” Klaus replied airily. “And perhaps to see an old friend,” he added, his gaze sliding covertly to me. The unspoken message was clear: he was here because of our deal, because I was in danger.
“You risk much by leaving the bounds set for your people,” the emperor said, his tone low and dangerous.
“And yet, here I am,” Klaus responded, spreading his arms wide. “Unharmed and quite entertained. Your guards seem unsure if they should arrest me or ask for autographs!”
The emperor’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if he found Klaus’s audacity more amusing than offensive. He then turned to the guards. “Escort our guest to a more private setting. We have much to discuss.” To Julian, he added sternly, “And you, my son, will join me later, where we will discuss your conduct in depth.” His frosty eyes glittered like shards of glass.
As Klaus was escorted away, his eyes briefly met mine, an unspoken promise lingering in his gaze. He wasn’t out of the game yet, and neither was I. I helped Jacob to his feet, my mind racing with the night’s revelations and the looming conversations that would undoubtedly reshape our understanding of the emperor’s court.