The room settled into tense arrangement around the long table.
Count Valtair sat rigid in his chair, jaw clenched so tight the muscle jumped beneath his skin.
Vivienne remained beside him, her hand resting lightly on the table.
The other nobles spread out like predators claiming territory, Elira Thornvale directly across from Valtair, her ice-blue eyes fixed on him with barely concealed disdain.
Varell Duskwood had positioned himself in shadow near the corner. Count Hadrian Greaves sat with ease, one hand drumming on the armrest. Baron Torvan Ashford, Baroness Lysara Fenwick, and Count Marius Blackwell filled the remaining seats, each accompanied by an attendant holding document cases.
Alaric remained standing at the head of the table, his hands resting on the back of his chair.
