"But―"
Whatever objections Soleia had died on her lips when she registered the steely glint of voracious hunger in King Recaldo's eyes. His grip on her cheeks tightened imperceptibly, and Soleia knew that it would leave traces on her skin when the affair was over. This man would not be dissuaded from his goals, no matter what Soleia said or didn't say. Orion's life was hanging by a thread.
"...I understand, King Recaldo," Soleia said instead, taking a deep breath to calm herself down, but it was increasingly hard to do.
This was fine, she frantically thought to herself. If she somehow managed to nullify King Recaldo's abilities, Orion would be able to free himself― and hopefully Rafael would return to resolve the situation before King Recaldo called for the guards to have them executed for treason.
"Don't you dare try to nullify my abilities," King Recaldo added, as though he had actually read her mind.
