It was the kind of betrayal that twisted the soul. Like Caesar and Brutus all over again. A dagger driven in by the very hand you trusted most.
John felt like the floor had been ripped out from under him.
"W–When…?" he stammered, barely getting the words out. His voice cracked as he turned to Karen, eyes trembling with disbelief. "Karen… you?"
His question hung in the air, heavy and shattering.
Karen didn't answer. She looked away, her shoulders tight, trembling slightly. Her silence was louder than words.
But then
"WHEN?!"
John's voice exploded through the throne room, like thunder cracking across the sky.
The sound bounced off the golden walls and echoed for what felt like forever. The entire throne room froze.
Karen flinched.
"I… I didn't want to," she finally whispered. Her voice was barely audible. "I didn't want to, but I had to do it… to save our lives."
The guilt in her tone was unmistakable.
"It was in Marka."
