It had been a storm outside, but there was a tension in the Crestwood Council Chamber that would not clear away like heavy fog.
Sophia was standing folding her arms and glowering at her brother. Felix on the contrary leaned casually against his refined table with a barely noticeable furrow between his brows.
The second time that hour Sophia said, “You are overreacting.”
Felix said nothing at first. He simply turned, laid a fresh dispatch scroll on the table, and motioned for her to read it.
She didn’t.
“I don’t need someone breathing over my shoulder,” she added.
Felix finally looked up. “You’ve been under fire for weeks.”
“And I’ve handled it.”
“You’ve endured it,” Felix corrected. “Barely.”
Sophia clenched her jaw. “So what, you think I’m about to crumble?”
He stepped toward he
