Ivara's POV
The council chamber fell silent the moment Kael walked in with me at his side, and I felt every gaze in the room settle on my stomach before they ever reached my face. Lady Serris stood at the head of the long table, her expression composed into something almost pleasant, though I had learned by now that her calm was the most dangerous thing about her.
"My lord," she began smoothly, "I have grave concerns to share regarding the outsider you have chosen to house within these walls."
"Concerns you gathered how, exactly," Kael said, taking his seat at the head of the table with a calm that did not quite reach his eyes. "I do not recall informing the council of anything beyond her presence here as my guest."
"Word travels quickly in a court this size, my lord. Servants talk. He
