Tension hovered in the air; no one dared breathe within hearing of another. An urgent council meeting on the night of the wedding was no good sign.
Everyone was seated. Adela was still in her wedding dress; she sat like a ghost of herself, her gown stained with blood and dirt.
Queen Melissa's gaze flickered between Theron and Adela. He too was stained in blood, but no one appeared to be hurt. Minister Rebecca had her eyes to the ground, as if it suddenly looked interesting.
"The king arrives," a guard announced, and everyone stood, watching Rowan march to his throne. A chill wave brushed past everyone. Rowan's eyes glanced around the cold room.
"Let the meeting begin," Rowan announced.
"This is no time for a meeting," Queen Melissa choked. The words sounded foreign even from her mouth.
"Not the time... come on, stepmother, we all know this court has tolerated your excesses; hence, it will be better you keep quiet... your time is coming."
