The corridors of the palace, though still hazy with smoke, felt unnervingly silent after the chaos of the fire. Selena followed Darius reluctantly, her boots echoing on the scorched marble floors. She wanted to disappear into the shadows, to retreat to the quiet corner where no one ever noticed her.
But the Queen's summons was not something she or anyone could ignore.
When they reached the outer chamber of the Queen's apartments, two guards barred the door. Their armor was blackened with soot, but their posture was rigid. One bowed sharply and said, "Her Majesty awaits the girl alone."
Alone.
The word settled like a stone in Selena's chest. She looked instinctively to Darius, but his jaw was clenched tight, his hand hovering near his sword as if he might refuse to let her go in.
"I'll wait here," he said finally, his voice low but steady. His eyes locked onto hers with quiet intensity. "Remember who you are."
