"You did wonderfully with the dance," Verity continued, and this time she glanced at Thalia for confirmation. Thalia nodded with a smile. "We were both so surprised."
That at least drew a small smile from Rosalind, and for a while the three women continued talking.
****
Later that day, an emergency meeting was called, and all the mistresses were summoned to the great hall. The room was filled with murmurs as they asked themselves why had they all been called here so suddenly.
The hall fell silent the moment Alaric stepped inside.
With his hands clasped behind his back and a grim expression shadowing his face, he crossed the room in steps that made the entire atmosphere turn cold. "Your Majesty," the women chorused, their voices blending together as tension swept through the hall.
Without a word of acknowledgment, Alaric made his way to the throne and settled into it, a slow sigh escaping his lips as his gaze swept over the women standing before him.
