Elara's POV
Petrov was still standing near his chair, his face dark, his hands clenched at his sides. The other council members had begun to move toward the doors, but he did not move. He stood there like a man who had been told to leave his own home.
"Your Majesty," he said. His voice was tight. "You cannot meet alone with a man who has just been exposed as the leader of a seditious movement. It is not proper. It is not safe. The council should remain–"
"Lord Petrov."
I did not look at him. My eyes were still on Kaelen.
"Leave."
The word was quiet. But it landed like a stone in still water. The room went very still.
Petrov's mouth opened. Closed. Opened again. His face went through several expressions, fury, disbelief, something that might have been fear. He looked at the other council members, searching for support. No one met his eyes.
"This is–" he started.
"I said leave."
