[Silthara Palace — Malik's Private Chamber — Continuation]
Silence.
Levin remained suspended within the coils of the enormous silver tail, firm, possessive, and absolute. Before him...the First Beast continued staring into his eyes. Golden irises had narrowed into thin slits.
Not a single trace of gentleness remained, only instinct, ancient...primal...and terrifyingly patient. The beast--aka--Zeramet repeated the question, lower and slower this time.
"...Where..." His thumb slowly brushed against Levin's jaw. "...did that corrupted serpent touch you?"
Silence.
Levin looked directly into those burning eyes; he understood immediately. Reason would not work. Arguments would not work because this was no longer the Malik of Zahryssar. This was the first predator ever blessed by Lord Urzan.
The ruler who had once stood above every serpent.
Levin answered quietly. "...He touched me only because I allowed him to believe he had already won."
