Stipulations

Hades

The room turned unbearably silent.

Not a flicker of emotion passed over my face, but the Flux hissed, seething beneath my skin, pressing against the edges of my control like a predator ready to strike.

Not safe with her husband.

The words rang in my skull, a deliberate taunt wrapped in feigned concern.

Kael stiffened at my side, but I lifted a hand—just a flicker of movement, barely noticeable, but enough. A silent command. Stay still. Let them speak. Let them believe they had control of this conversation.

I let the weight of their statement hang in the air, drawing the moment out just enough for discomfort to settle in their bones.

Then, ever so slowly, I smiled.

It was not a pleasant thing.

It was not meant to be.

The silence stretched, the tension winding tighter, suffocating, before I finally spoke—calm, smooth, deliberate.

"You're right," I said softly, my voice measured, controlled.