>>Aelin
The council meeting was dragging.
I tried not to fidget in my seat, but I could feel the weight of time ticking in my bones. It wasn't that the discussion wasn't important — it was. We were deciding the distribution of firewardens to the southern border, and everyone had an opinion. But I had somewhere else to be, and every tick of the sun-dial outside the council room made me itch.
I glanced sideways at Ariston, who stood at ease beside me, his arms crossed behind his back as usual. He seemed unbothered by the delay, but I could feel the slight tension in his stance. He was waiting, just as I was. I shifted subtly and tapped the edge of the table with my finger.
Finally, Draegon gave the signal to wrap up, his voice steady, deep, commanding. "We'll review the final distribution plan tomorrow. Dismissed."
I nearly bolted up from my seat.
