[Silthara Palace — Malika's Private Courtyard — Before the Chaos]
The court had only just emptied, voices fading, footsteps dissolving into marble corridors, but the palace had not settled because something was wrong.
Zeramet descended the steps toward the Malika's private courtyard, measured and unhurried. Yet the moment he crossed the arch, the air struck him, sharp, disordered, and alive with agitation.
At the center of the courtyard chaos. Asha prowled in tight, restless circles, her tail lashing, a low growl vibrating through her chest. Beside her, Lyresaph jumped around, a sharp, echoing cry cutting through the courtyard walls.
They were not playing; they were searching and failing. Iru stood at the edge of it, hands raised and voice strained.
"…Please calm yourselves!"
But they did not listen because instinct had already told them what the palace had not yet dared to say.
Zeramet stopped; his gaze sharpened. "What is this?"
