Dancing through fire

The tension in the palace was thick enough to slice with a blade. Varian had been stabilized, his body finally free from Lust's grip, but the air still crackled with unresolved conflicts.

Kiara hadn't left his side, her fingers lingering on his wrist as if she feared he would vanish if she let go. Lucius had watched in silence, his jaw tight, his stormy gaze fixed on her every move. It was subtle, the way his hand curled into a fist at his side, but Ryder saw it.

Ryder also saw the way Kiara's eyes softened when she looked at Varian, the way she whispered to him, as if coaxing his soul back to reality. And Lucius? He had seen enough.

With a sharp turn, the king stormed out of the room, his presence like a gust of wind that sent a chill down spines.

Ryder sighed. He knew what was coming.

And sure enough, the moment he stepped outside, Lucius was waiting for him.