My hand tightened around the knife. The metal bent slightly under the pressure. I’d let her get away with that sass last night. But now she was pushing her luck.
“Take that back to the kitchen,” I said, my voice hard—like steel dragged over flint. “And tell her if she doesn’t come down this instant, she won’t be allowed anywhere else today. Not the gardens. Not Solara’s lessons. Nowhere.”
Emma blinked, startled. “Y-yes, My King,” she stammered, turning on her heel and nearly tripping in her hurry to obey.
Evander leaned back, lifting his goblet with infuriating calm. “That was a bit sharp, don’t you think?”
Callum let out a quiet snort. “Looks like the kitten’s growing claws.”
I didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, I stared down at my plate—still untouched—willing the irritation coiled i
