Chapter 27: Seren Face The Council
The Star Chamber had never felt so small.
Aeron stood at the opposite end of the table, facing Lord Castor. Kael flanked his left shoulder with crossed arms. Every muscle on his face coiled like a trap about to spring. Theron leaned one hip against an empty chair, his eyes were sharp as broken glass. Seren remained between them—small, steady, the forest-green gown stark against the black stone. The bruise at her temple had darkened to deep violet overnight; a thin scab had formed along her lower lip where the gag had torn her skin. She held her chin level, eyes clear, refusing to shrink beneath the weight of every stare.
No one had asked her to sit. Neither could anyone dare tell her to leave.
Castor broke the silence first.
