[Silthara Palace—Throne Hall—Zahryssar—Continuation]
The throne hall had become suffocating with fear and only silence beneath the towering serpent pillars. Slyvarakh sat upon the imperial throne like a serpent preparing to devour everything around him.
And before the throne, Lady Arinaya remained kneeling gracefully, head lowered respectfully and hands folded calmly before her.
Yet somehow she looked less afraid than the nobles standing behind her. And that alone irritated Slyvarakh further. For several moments the Malik said nothing, only staring at her silently. Silver eyes sharp enough to skin and flesh apart.
Then quietly and dangerously he finally spoke. "You were close to my consort."
Arinaya answered immediately and carefully. "Yes, Malik."
Slyvarakh's fingers tapped once against the throne armrest afterward. "How close?"
Silence briefly spread through the hall because everyone understood this question held poison beneath it.
