Her pulse hammered, something buzzing beneath her skin. The mountain rumbled. Karag Dûr was with her.
Alora lifted her chin. “I’m not afraid of you.”
His quiet chuckle carried across the stone. “It would be such a shame if harm came to the queen our king so desperately sought.”
She blinked, taken aback by his words. The air around her snapped tight, like a held breath.
Then he reached for her face.
Nexus roared.
The kitten’s form rippled, stretching, bones reforming beneath his black pelt. Alora yelped, falling back on the carpet of flowers. Gaping up at the massive blackbeastbetween them. It resembled a panther with grand horns and three times her size. Its feathered wings unfurled like banners, bearing glistening fangs.
The Dominion stopped mid-step, eyes widening slightly. “Curious.”
Alora gaped.
The creature stood between her and the demon like a living omen. She froze, struck silent by the beauty of it.
“Nexus…?”she whispered, breathless.
The creature growled deep, tail lashing.
A deep quake shook the mountain. The Gate pulsated red with a low, unnatural hum, washing the walls in a bloody glow that throbbed like a heartbeat. Whispering bled through thestone in a distorted language Alora didn’t understand yet it sank deep into her bones.
The Dominion’s gaze snapped to the Gate, then to her, alarm flashing across his face.
The air crackled.
Shadows roiled behind her, and the light from the Gate winked out as an unmistakable ripple tore through the chamber.
And from dark emerged Rune.
His presence drowned the room in raw fury, etched into every line of his features. His eyes burned red like living flame as his gaze locked on the Dominion.
“Sal’vathar.”
The single name echoed through the chamber like thunder.
The Dominion froze for a breath, then lowered his head, opening his arms deferentially as he took several steps back. “Sire, greetings. I was?—”
“Leaving,”Rune said, his voice more menacing than she’d ever heard it.
The single command rippled through the atmosphere.
Sal’vathar bowed and vanished into shadow without another sound.
Alora’s breath trembled, her palms shaking against the ground. Rune’s gaze slid to her next, sharp and unreadable.
“Are you hurt?” he asked tightly.
She swallowed hard and shook her head, her heart still pounding. Nexus had already shifted back into a kitten. The little horned beast curling at her feet with a soft, unbothered purr.
Alora exhaled shakily. “Oh no, don’t feign innocence. I saw what you did.”
Nexus mewed at her with those big, sweet eyes.
“Interesting pet you’ve found,” Rune mused, his tone more even.
