The Royal Chambers were exactly as they had left them—dark, luxurious, and freezing cold.
Revas walked in first. He didn't relax. His body was tense, coiled like a spring. He scanned the room, his violet eyes tracking across the ceiling, the corners, the space under the massive bed. He sniffed the air, hunting for the scent of sandalwood or foreign steel.
"Clear," he announced after a moment, sounding almost disappointed. "He didn't even leave a note. How rude. If you're going to break into a Queen's bedroom, at least leave a present."
He walked to the window, which had been left slightly ajar, letting in the biting wind. He slammed it shut with a little more force than necessary and lit the violet fire in the hearth with a thought. The room instantly began to thaw, the shadows dancing along the velvet walls.
