Arik was standing alone by the window in the private study of the villa, long fingers resting over the sleeping dragon worked into his imperial seal.
The room had gone quiet after the morning meetings, leaving only the faint hum of climate controls and the occasional movement of security somewhere beyond the closed doors. Afternoon light fell across the desk in a wide pale strip, catching on the gold seal beneath Arik's hand and the stack of Edravan documents he had not touched since the ministers left.
Liam had gone out with Kamal to inspect part of the surrounding district, accompanied by enough security to satisfy Mezos for approximately ten minutes.
Arik had told him to enjoy himself.
He had even meant it.
Then the door closed, and there was nobody left in the room for him to perform calm around.
