The halls of the fortress shook with the force of Therion's fury.
Servants ducked into alcoves. Guards straightened, muscles locked. No one spoke. No one breathed.
He stormed toward the eastern wing…toward Virela's chambers.
Every step he took was a warning. A promise.
At the door, he didn’t knock. He kicked it open.
Virela lounged lazily on a velvet settee, a goblet of wine dangling from her fingers, her robe barely tied.
She smiled when she saw him. "Your Majesty," she purred. "Missed me already?"
His fist closed around her throat before she could rise.
The goblet clattered to the floor, wine splattering across the stones.
She gasped, nails scrabbling at his wrist.
"You poisoned her."
Her eyes widened…in terror, not guilt.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about…"
He slammed
