Vetra's private study was not designed for comfort.
The chamber occupied the highest point of the western tower, positioned deliberately to overlook both the palace grounds and the capital beyond. Three walls were lined with shelves bearing books that predated the current dynasty, texts on governance and strategy and the subtle arts of maintaining power when legitimacy was questionable. The fourth wall was entirely glass, massive windows that offered an unobstructed view of Nevareth's frozen landscape stretching toward distant mountains.
It was beautiful in the way winter itself was beautiful. Cold. Unforgiving. Designed to remind visitors that they stood in the presence of someone who commanded elements most mortals only feared.
Tonight, that chamber felt considerably less controlled than usual.
