ERIS
Finally. Finally.
The endless feast was over, and I was absolutely certain that if one more noble approached me with carefully calculated congratulations or thinly veiled threats disguised as concern, I would forget every lesson in restraint I'd ever learned and set something... or someone... spectacularly on fire.
My face ached from maintaining that serene, composed expression for hours. My ribs felt like they were being crushed by steel bands masquerading as a corset. And my patience, which had never been particularly abundant to begin with, had been stretched so thin it was practically transparent.
Behind me, Soren's presence radiated warmth and satisfaction. I didn't need to look at him to know he was grinning like a man who'd just won every strategic objective he'd set for the evening.
"Stop grinning," I said without turning around.
"I'm not grinning."
"I can feel you grinning."
