The moment the king and his men disappeared beyond the gates, Dareth's smile vanished.
"Everyone out," he barked.
The guards hesitated, exchanging wary glances, but the edge in Dareth’s voice brooked no argument. One by one, the crowd dispersed until only Dareth, Kael, and a trembling Rand remained.
Kael stood still, chest heaving, dried blood caking the edge of his mouth. He didn’t miss the way Dareth’s hand went to his sword.
"You humiliated my son," Dareth growled. "Before the king. Before everyone."
"I didn’t ask for this," Kael said quietly.
"That’s the problem. You didn’t need to. You think your father’s blood gives you the right to rise?"
Kael’s spine straightened at the mention of his father. To think Dareth would taunt him each time about his father made him even more annoy
