Footsteps echoed across the chamber, but I didn’t break from Tallon’s stare. He would yield first. I’d been raised among dragons, not cowards.
A rough hand clamped onto his arm, yanking it down.
“Dare to raise a hand to her again,” Kallias hissed, his voice low and razor-sharp, “and you’ll lose it.”
Tallon struggled against his grip, but he held firm, dragging him closer.
“See yourself out before you start a war,” he growled.
“You’re blinded by her–”
The crack of the king's hand across Tallon’s face was so swift I staggered, colliding with Fyrn behind me. She caught my arm, steadying me as the room pulsed with unspoken fury. The prince froze, his cheek burning red with the imprint of Kallias’ strike.
“Leave. Now,” the king commanded.
Tallon spat a curse, his glare searing into me before he stormed out. Guards trailed after him, their boots thudding in obedient rhythm.
The others remained rigid, their hands clenched and expressions caught between disbelief and indignation. Shame crawled up my neck, hot and suffocating. This wasn’t my fault, yet Kallias had to intervene—had to restore order in a way that left my position exposed.
His gaze softened as it found mine, though his voice stayed cold. “Radaan meant no insult, Princess Nienna. Forgive us for Tallon’s actions.”
His apology wasn’t owed, but I knew why he offered it. As long as I stayed, my dragons were his. Still, I’d sooner die than let someone like Tallon wield their power.
“Words are slippery things when tensions rise,” I replied, my voice steady despite the chaos in my mind.
The king turned, pinning Egath with a glare sharp enough to cut. “I trust we canallproceed with civility?”
Egath’s mouth twitched, amusement tugging at the corners, but he inclined his head in agreement.
“My apologies, Your Majesty.” Sai’glon’s tone cooled, but the fire in his eyes still smoldered. His people bore scars too raw to endure more disrespect, especially from a bratty prince.
“Princess.” Kallias gestured toward the council table, positioning himself between me and Egath. “I believe you had something to say.” His blue eyes, bright as cornflowers but edged with caution, held mine. “Perhaps it would be better heard there.”
Pleasure and unease wrestled in my chest. The lone vacant seat belonged to Tallon, a place I hadn’t earned and likely never would when he sat upon the throne. Yet Kallias recognized my worth.
I swallowed hard, nodding as he led me forward. My hands trembled, skirts brushing against my legs as our steps rang out in the room’s heavy silence. The weight of countless stares pressed on my back, but I straightened my shoulders, forcing my chin high.
Kallias paused to pull out the chair, his presence grounding me. I sank into the seat, smoothing my skirts as the nobles’ murmurs ebbed. When he settled beside me, his knee brushed mine. My cheeks warmed, but I locked eyes with the assembly, deflecting their scrutiny with my own steady gaze.
“Your dragons,” a grizzled general prompted, leaning forward.
I caught Egath’s glare, sharp as a dagger, from across the table.
“Mydragons…”
When the meeting ended, I spotted Kallias storming down the hall, each stride heavy with fury. I rushed to my rooms, throwing the door open behind me.
Scythe sat on the couch, four ribbons tangled between her toes. She struggled to weave them into an intricate braid, her foot yanking the threads tight. At the sound of my entrance, she jumped, a startled squeal escaping as she tumbled off the sofa.
“Oi! What happened to being a subtle princess?” she called, untangling her legs from the mess of skirts.
“Hurry!” I hissed, tugging at my overdress.
She tossed her ribbons aside, scrambling to help peel the dress off me. “Where to?”
I dashed to the dresser that blocked the old passageway. It felt heavier than I remembered and refused to budge under my weight.
“Oh! Adventures!” She squealed, grinning. She put her shoulder into it, and together we shoved the dresser aside with a groan of protest from the wood.
