“Nyssa.”
The king’s voice cut through the tension in the air. I looked up, finding him sitting at the head of the grand table, his hands clasped neatly in front of him. His smile was polite but didn’t reach his eyes. It never did.
I stepped into the room, trying to keep my face neutral. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotional chaos. Between Ryvarn’s moods, the king’s manipulations, and everything in between, I was starting to lose track of who I even was anymore.
“Come in, come in,” the king said, waving a hand in an exaggerated gesture of hospitality. “You’ve done well, Nyssa. Better than I expected, frankly.”
I wasn’t sure if the compliment was sincere or just another way to get under my skin. “I’m glad I met your expectations, Your Majesty.”
The smile didn’t falter. “Bu
