He knelt, speaking low so that only the dying knight could hear:
"She's mine now."
Moments Later — Queen's War Room
Valeris looked up as Asher entered.
Blood streaked his clothes and hands.
"Trouble?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
He dropped Caldrin's ring onto the table.
"A test," Asher said. "They failed."
Valeris smiled, slow and dangerous.
"Good," she said. "Let them send more."
"And when they do?" Asher asked, stepping closer.
Valeris's eyes gleamed like garnets in the low light.
"We'll show them," she said, "why dragons never beg."
The Next Morning — Mimir Palace
By dawn, the blood in the gardens had been quietly cleaned.
The courtiers and noble houses pretended not to notice.
Pretended not to know that loyal knights had died under the moon.
But Valeris knew.
And she would not let it pass.
Today, she wore black.
