The moment Nikolai met eyes with Lord Vladik, his future brother-in-law and the current King of Al'Qutar, an abrupt chill spread across his entire body. Like a watchful serpent, Vladik's eyes traced Nikolai's every curve or movement with his intense, serpentine glare.
'It's like he wants to eat me...'
Nikolai returned his gaze, unaware of the reactions from around him. Naturally, there were things in Al'Qutar one normally avoided.
To meet the eyes of the King was to challenge his authority.
However, that didn't matter to Nikolai. This man would become his family, so he insisted on knowing Vladik better. He ignored the cautious murmurs around him and examined the man standing atop the steps in front of him.
An unhealthy pale pink skin, he carried a look five-tenths similar to Zara, but his defined jawline and strong facial features appeared to come from a different parent. Yet, Nikolai knew instinctively that he was Zara's brother.
