[Malika's Residency — Emperor's Chamber — Continuation]
Silence crashed through the chamber the moment Sarash appeared beneath the candlelit doorway. A sword rested firmly within his hand, and for the very first time Sarash no longer looked like someone obeying the throne; he looked like someone standing against it.
And inside the chamber everyone remained frozen. Iru instinctively stepped protectively before Levin. Asha growled lowly. Even tiny Lyresaph lifted his head sharply, ready to attack instantly.
But Sarash did not move and did not raise his sword.
Instead, his exhausted eyes remained fixed entirely upon Levin, and what he saw there terrified him because Levin truly looked ready to surrender himself completely. Then finally Sarash stepped inside slowly, the chamber doors closing heavily behind him.
CLACK.
