By imperial decree, the emergency session had been called with only hours' notice. The chamber filled quickly as the heads of each noble house took their designated positions, an undercurrent of tension and speculation running through the assembly.
Grim took his assigned seat.
Julius sat rigid in his formal attire, his face composed but a muscle twitching occasionally in his jaw. The only visible sign of his fury over Aithen's death. Lord Orvannis sat three seats away, his expression revealing nothing, though he inclined his head slightly when Grim caught his eye.
House Draykar's seat remained conspicuously empty.
At precisely the appointed hour, trumpets sounded, announcing the imperial procession. All rose as the Empress entered, followed by the Princess, Archmage Marcus in his deep blue robes, and Chancellor Levenhart. She took her place on the imperial throne, the others arranging themselves on slightly lower seats to her right and left.
