The midnight hour arrived with a crushing, suffocating weight, the thick air pressing down upon the Moonlight Palace like an physical force. Out on the stone corridor of the royal bedchamber, Odesse and Valex stood side by side, their gazes locked on the endless expanse of the dark sky. Valex kept his arm tightly secured around her shoulder, offering his warmth against the unnatural chill that had settled over the estate.
Breaking the heavy silence, Valex spoke in a low, gravelly voice. "My love... what if we simply kill Azure?"
Odesse shook her head instantly, her eyes never leaving the stars. "No, my king. That will not be a good idea."
Valex looked down at her, his brow furrowed with frustration. "Why not, my love?"
