The moment the door of Sebastian's study closed behind the guard, the quiet inside the room felt strangely heavier.
The air still carried the warmth of the kiss they had just shared, but now another presence lingered in the background—an invisible tension neither of them could ignore.
Someone was waiting at the palace gates.
Someone claiming to be a Prince of Hell.
Aliena was still sitting on Sebastian's lap when she finally pulled back slightly, her fingers still tangled loosely in his hair. She studied his face carefully.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
"You know who it is, don't you?" she asked quietly.
Sebastian didn't answer immediately.
Instead he rested his head briefly against her shoulder again and exhaled slowly, as if gathering patience he barely had left.
"I have a suspicion."
Aliena tilted her head slightly.
"That doesn't sound comforting."
"It isn't."
She gently pushed his shoulder.
"Well?"
Sebastian looked up at her.
"Minister Dranis."
Her brows furrowed.
