SOREN
Eris didn't move toward the door. Instead, she walked right past me, ignoring my protests as if I were a buzzing fly. She reached the desk and began picking up the papers I had been staring at.
"Eris, you don't need to... this isn't something you should... " I reached out to stop her, my hand hovering near her arm. "You don't need to concern yourself with this. It's tedious administrative nonsense. Let me handle it."
She stopped. She didn't look at the paper; she looked at me. It was The Look. It was a sharp, dangerous flash of imperial authority that made the words die in my throat.
"Don't test my patience, Soren," she said quietly.
My mouth snapped shut. My spine straightened of its own accord. I backed down instantly, feeling like a squire being scolded by a grandmaster.
I stood there, obedient and silent, as she returned her attention to the documents.
