"Explain."
Hearing the darkness in Theron's tone, Kael's voice lowered further, barely more than a whisper.
"My Liege, my family has served yours for generations. Our duty is to protect you, even from things that cannot be easily understood." His fingers curled tightly at his sides before he forced the words out. "She's… not right, sire. That woman may be a curse."
The temperature around them seemed to drop.
Theron's gaze sharpened instantly. His hand curled slowly into a fist.
"Say that again," he said quietly.
Kael instantly realized his mistake, but the warning came too late.
"Call her a curse once more," Theron continued, his voice calm in a way that made the threat far more terrifying, "and I will personally erase your entire bloodline."
Kael froze.
Theron stepped closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming.
"Not just you," he added coldly. "Your brothers. Your cousins. Every servant in your household. Even the dogs that guard your gates."
