Another feast. Maris had stopped asking what they were meant to celebrate. Survival? Superiority? The gods’ silence?
She parted ways with the woman and made her way to her chambers. The wraiths made quick work of dressing her, a normal routine for them at this point of her continued stay with Calyrix halls.
When she entered the great hall Kael sat on the dais in full ceremonial black, silver thread catching fire in the candlelight. No crown was perched on his brow tonight but he didn’t need it. Power rolled off him like thunder, black tendrils daring anyone to get too close.
The Calyrix great hall was dressed for decadence — crystal chandeliers wept soft light from above, the scent of ripe fruits and spiced meats heavy in the air. Dark magic shimmered through the vaulted ceiling like false starlight.
She sat in her now-usual place at Kael’s side, never far from his reach. Close enough to be claimed. Far enough to wonder if she already had been.
Tonight, her dress was a deep garnet, sleeveless and slit to the thigh, the fabric clinging like breath on glass. Her hair had been curled and pinned by the twins into something soft and wicked.
She looked dangerous, like she belonged. But she felt nothing of the sort.
She hadn’t seen Kael all day he’d been in and out of court meetings. And tonight, his mood was unreadable as he sipped wine and let his courtiers swarm. And swarm they did.
Especially her. Astrielle. The general and noble’s daughter. A Flame-haired viper with legs that never seemed to end and a mouth always smirking. Maris caught sight of her across the room, gliding toward the King like a lioness in heat. She perched at his side with practiced grace, brushing her fingers along his sleeve. Laughed softly at some unheard jest. Leaned close — too close —her breast nearly brushing his arm as she whispered into his ear.
Maris clenched her jaw and willed herself not to react.
Kael to his credit did not show a flicker of interest — just the cold, unreadable stillness he wore so well.
But when Astrielle slid her hand to his shoulder, fingers curling, lips grazing his cheek as she murmured something low and sultry that made Kael still for the briefest moment.
Maris snapped. She rose in a single, furious motion. She moved toward the wretch with deadly purpose — unapologetic, unstoppable.
Valea, seated farther down the table, made a sharp move to rise. True fear consumed her features but Kael lifted a hand without looking, halting her.
“Touch him again, Astrielle, and I'll make sure you leave this hall short a hand.”
The words rang out like a bell cracking in the cold. The entire hall stilled.
Astrielle turned, feigned surprise, then gave Maris a slow once-over. “The little mortal speaks,” she purred.
Maris snarled. “Back off.”
“And if I don’t?” Astrielle asked sweetly, standing now, taller by a head than Maris. “You’ll cry? Run back to your rooms? Or maybe you’ll faint again. That’s your favorite party trick, isn’t it?”
Laughter threaded through the air, growing louder as the crowd drew closer.
Kael's gaze hardened, what little softness he'd shown now replaced by something deadly.
Anger surged so violently, it drowned out verythign else around Maris.
The air cracked as her fury spilled over — raw blinding power surging from her like a scream turned to flame. The floor trembled, the torches guttered.
Astrielle reeled back, slipping in her heeled boots. She landed hard, flat on her ass, stunned and furious, skirts tangled around her knees. Her face ashen, eyes wide — no longer mocking, only afraid.
The room exploded in whispers. Astrielle hissed and lunged. Kael's shadows surged, placing him in her path like a wall of midnight before she could reach Maris.
“Enough.”
His voice cut like a scythe through fog. One pulse of shadow, and he was gone from Astrielle's path — reformed at Maris's side, His presence a barrier no one dared across. Without a word, he pressed his hand to the small of her back, his fingers moving slow, soothing loops.
Maris, still crackling with whatever had burst inside her, didn’t meet his eyes.
Her heart pounded. Her fingers trembled. She was almost as terrified of what she'd done as the court before her. Each face painted with shock and awe. But not Kael, he was unflinching.
Astrielle red with rage and embarrassment, flicked her eyes to her mother — but Valea did not come to her defense. Her mother’s expression tightened as she turned from her daughter, the weight of her judgement unspoken.
