(Daciana POV)
The hall did not cheer immediately, because even cruel people needed one moment to understand how deeply cruelty had won.
Then Boris struck his staff against the stone, and the first forced cheer rose from a corner where Hrolf’s loyal warriors stood.
More voices followed, some loud with fear, some soft with doubt, and some silent because shame had closed their throats.
Ashina stood slowly, and Bardolph helped her rise with the same hand that had once lifted me beside his throne.
That hand destroyed me more than the words did.
I watched the maid step toward the Luna seat, wrapped in my shawl, wearing my pain like a jewel.
She sat down carefully, pretending to tremble, but her eyes found mine across the hall with bright, merciless pleasure.
I wanted to scream until the
