The heavy laboratory floor shook as King Kaelen collapsed, his massive body hitting the cold flagstones like a fallen oak tree.
The pitch-black fluid oozing through his midnight-black velvet tunic gave off a sickening, metallic stench that instantly burned the back of Elara’s throat. His royal eyes lost their bright golden flame, turning glassy and unfocused as his breath was trapped inside his chest with a terrible, wet rattle. The silver serpent clasps on his doublet rattled violently against his ribs while his large fingers scraped fruitlessly across the stone, clawing for air that would not come.
"Sire!" Vance roared in absolute panic.
The fierce Beta dropped immediately to both knees beside his monarch, his boiled leather brigandine groaning under the sudden movement. His dark hair
