"Hmm, and where might you be going, Your Grace?"
The voice cut through the tense air, smooth but edged with danger.
There, Zalyric stepped out from the shadows with his sharp gaze sweeping over the Duke, then lingered on the cluster of knights and the lone attendant at his side. The Duke's men stiffened as their swords snapped up to defend him though their wary eyes betrayed the truth—
they were pointing steel at their own king.
"Y-Your Majesty?!" the Duke stammered while the color was draining from his face. "H-how… how can you be here?"
Zalyric advanced at an unhurried pace with a grin tugging at his lips now. He looked like a predator savoring the fear that rolled off its prey. Every inch of him radiated amusement, as if he were relishing not only the Duke's terror but the panic etched on the faces of those sworn to him.
