The high carved doors of the royal bedchamber stood slightly ajar, casting a long blade of golden lamplight across the floor.
Inside, Kizari sat lounging upon a low dark-wood chair. She was bare-chested, draped only in an emerald silk skirt that hung loosely at her waist. Her long black hair spilled over her back like silk, her hands propping up her cheek as she stared lazily into the dancing flames of the bronze braziers.
A ripple split the shadows in the corner of the room. The air tore open, swirling with red light and dark energy. Malachi stepped out from the portal.
His dark, curly hair was wildly messy, a few pale petals from human flowers stuck in the dark strands. His high-collared traveling robes carried the lingering scent of the petals.
