As they walked toward the throne room, Elaine focused on keeping her breathing steady. Every muscle ached from the hours of training with Ader, but she couldn't let it show.
"The presentation shouldn't take long," Kael said, his hand resting at the small of her back. "An hour at most."
"That's fine." She kept her voice light and casual.
They turned a corner, and she had to consciously avoid favoring her left leg, where a particularly vicious bruise throbbed. The movement must have been slightly off because Kael glanced down at her.
"You seem quiet," he said.
"Just thinking about the court. What are they like?"
"Most are insufferable." His lips quirked. "But necessary."
They reached the massive throne room doors. Guards pulled them open, revealing a sea of elaborately dressed nobles.
