Queen Annequin followed Rhara, her stride unhurried, spine straight, and her chin lifted in confidence. If this was a trap, and she was being led to her death, she sure showed no sign of fearing it. In fact, she looked almost amused by the possibility.
Guards lined the corridors wall to wall, standing at rigid attention. Their presence was heavy and every turn they took revealed more of them.
Annequin glanced around, her sharp eyes taking it all in. "Is the palace always this well protected," she asked lightly, "or is all this for me?" She smiled to herself. "Because if it is, I must say, I'm truly honored."
Rhara didn't respond, her jaw set tight. The foreign queen was exhausting. Every word out of her mouth felt like a provocation.
When no answer came, Annequin hummed. "I suppose most of the Fae here don't talk much."
That was it.
"Just shut up and walk," Rhara snapped.
Annequin stopped.
