[Osric's Pov—Dawnspire Wing—Continuation]
The pressure around my neck tightened, stealing the air from my lungs. The Emperor's crimson eyes burned like molten steel, a fury so raw it made my spine lock in place.
"Answer me, Osric," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous, each word vibrating like the growl of a cornered beast. "Did you say... last life?"
My hands flew to his grip—not to fight, but to keep myself upright. "Your Majesty—please, calm down," I rasped, the words scraping past his iron hold.
Solena shrieked and lunged at him, talons gleaming like silver blades. But Emperor didn't even flinch. His free hand shot out like a striking viper, catching her mid-air by the throat.
"The Divines," he hissed, his glare slicing through her like a blade, "should remember their place and stay out of mortal affairs."
