Whispers stirred, brittle and uncertain.
Was this still a game? A spectacle?
Laughter cracked thin in the smoke, too high, too nervous.
Amerei’s fingers tightened around Viktor’s wrist. Her gaze slid past him, sharp and searching.
“There,” she breathed.
A handful of Casqadian lords hesitated—goblets lowered, eyes flicking not to the queen but to her. For the briefest instant, faith glimmered through the haze.
Gabriel followed her line of sight, jaw tightening.
“The elves don’t waver,” he observed. “Only the humans.”
Evander’s eyes darted to the exits again. “We have to get out of here.”
Viktor’s hand laced with Amerei’s, anchoring them both.
He felt it in his gut—this wasn’t over. Not even close.
Zeporah’s gaze cut like a knife, her voice dropping low, merciless.
“Shall we test loyalty, then?”
The smoke thickened, coiling upward in black tendrils.
Then it became iron.
Chains closed around Viktor’s arms, wrenching them behind his back.
His breath punched from his lungs.
Shackles seared cold into his skin, burning deeper the more he strained. All around, humans cried out as the same fetters dragged them to their knees.
“Viktor!” Amerei’s voice cracked across the hall.
Laughter rippled from the elves, sharp as glass. The bound humans strained against their chains, outrage breaking into shouts.
Gabriel shifted, ready to move—Evander’s grip stopped him cold. Across the press, Jasmine twisted in her fetters. Gabriel met her eyes, one glance sayingdon’t.
The smoke reached for Amerei too—curling like snakes around her wrists—then hesitated.
Her blood resisted.
Half-elf. Untouchable.
Zeporah’s smile was vicious.
With a flick of her wrist, the chains slammed closed, forcing Amerei’s hands together with a hiss.
Gasps broke from the human nobles—outrage, disbelief. The elves stood untouched, their composure crumbling into wary silence.
Zeporah’s eyes gleamed, cruel and knowing.
“There she is. The halfling traitor. Daughter of Cassandra, whose army stirs in Sevrak. Did you think I would not see it? Did you think I would not know?”
Her laugh cracked sharp against the chamber walls. She circled Amerei like a predator, every word a wound.
