Morning arrived far too quickly.
Sebastian had barely slept.
After standing outside Aliena's door for several long moments the previous night—long enough to consider knocking and long enough to decide against it—he had finally turned and walked back toward his chambers.
Angrily.
Not loud anger.
Not the kind where people shouted or threw things.
Sebastian's anger was quieter.
Colder.
The kind that sat in his chest and refused to move.
Asher and Petiron had watched him go with identical expressions of silent concern.
"…That went well," Asher had muttered.
Petiron sighed.
"I've seen wolf packs argue less dramatically."
They eventually knocked gently on Aliena's door.
From the other side came her voice.
"I'm fine."
Neither of them believed that.
Still, Asher spoke through the door.
"Goodnight, Aliena."
A pause.
Then her quieter reply.
"Goodnight."
And with that, the palace finally went to sleep.
Morning, however, brought chaos.
Or at least the potential for chaos.
