Skylar paced in her chamber, the flickering candlelight casting restless shadows across the walls. She had expected a response from Chris after her confrontation with Ethan, but not like this.
Chris had returned the crown to her, a move that had sparked tension not just with Ethan but now with Christiana as well. Skylar wasn't foolish—she knew Christiana saw her as a weakness, a reminder of a past she wanted to erase.
But what concerned Skylar most was Chris himself.
For years, he had built an empire through calculated moves and absolute control. Yet, lately, she had noticed something shifting in him. The way he handled conflicts, the decisions he made—they weren't just about power anymore. There was something deeper, something personal.
And that terrified her.
The door to her chamber creaked open, and she turned swiftly.
Chris stepped in, his expression unreadable. He closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment before speaking.
"You're troubled," he said.
Skylar crossed her arms. "Of course, I'm troubled. You've made me a target again."
Chris sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Skylar—"
"No, listen to me," she interrupted, stepping closer. "Christiana is watching. Ethan is watching. The entire empire is watching. And what did you do? You overruled a punishment from the Supreme Ruler, reinstating me like it was nothing."
Chris's gaze darkened. "Because it was an insult. Ethan disrespected you in a way I will not tolerate."
Skylar exhaled sharply. "Chris, I don't need your protection like that. I need stability. I need security. But now, I'm at the center of political tension again."
Chris studied her for a long moment before he finally stepped forward, reaching out to touch her cheek.
"I will not let anyone take your dignity, Skylar. Not Ethan. Not Christiana. Not anyone."
Skylar closed her eyes briefly, leaning into his touch. For all his power, for all the fear he commanded in the world, there were moments like this—moments where she saw the man beneath the empire.
"Then what's next?" she asked softly.
Chris's expression hardened. "The Blackwood Union meeting. Ethan will reaffirm his authority. And I will remind everyone that while he rules, I am still the God of this empire."
Skylar nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling in her chest.
Something was coming.
And she wasn't sure if even Chris could stop it.