Explain

"Explain."

One word.

Simple. Lethal.

Madeleina swallowed hard, willing her hands not to shake. "It… it was during the final retreat, Your Grace," she began, keeping her voice steady, though the edges frayed beneath the strain. "The vortexes had already claimed much of the fleet. The last survivors were being brought to safety. Lady Aeliana was… she was observing from the secured platform, as per your orders."

She hesitated, but she knew better than to falter.

Thaddeus' eyes burned into her, his expression unreadable—but his presence spoke for him.

Cold. Suffocating.

She continued. "The vortexes had begun to dissipate, but then—" she exhaled sharply, as if forcing the words from her throat "—another formed. Right beneath her."

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.