Wait—he’s attacking? Why isn’t he moving?
Lillia watched the arena. She watched the way Regaleon stood without tension in his shoulders or weight in his stance, even as Garret rushed toward him like a ravenous beast.
The announcer’s voice rose and fell somewhere in the background, riling the crowd into a frenzy she barely registered as her fingers tightened slowly against the armrest.
“You were right,” Lillia said quietly to Elder Ashbourne, never taking her eyes off Regaleon.
“This isn’t how he used to be,” Conrad exhaled quietly.
Her brows creased. “What do you mean?”
“He used to be more…present,” Conrad continued, choosing his words carefully. “He had a welcoming light, and the gentleness that accompanied it when Queen Dravenhart was still alive, but this dimmed after her death a
