Adrian's POV
"You're interfering."
The accusation came before we had fully crossed into the chamber.
My gaze lifted immediately.
Mara stood near the center of the court floor, dressed in deep crimson, her chin raised high and her eyes locked entirely on me. Around her, nobles lined the chamber in half-formed clusters, whispers still echoing in the room. The emergency assembly had already begun before our arrival.
So much for waiting.
I stepped forward without slowing. "Move."
Her expression hardened. "You think barging in with her at your side changes what this is?"
Behind me, I felt Selene stiffen.
Very well.
Let her feel it.
Let her understand exactly what kind of room this was.
Because tonight was not politics.
Tonight was predation disguised as
